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Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working (James 5:16).

This familiar passage talks about righteous prayers, but it is only in the context of healthy relationships that those prayers have effect. It is critical that intercessors have a proper heart attitude towards others – especially those in authority – if we want to pray effectively for our leaders. Any negative experiences from the past must be dealt with if there is to be any oneness of heart and corporate impact in the spirit.

I had to deal with some of my own attitudes towards those in authority early on in my journey as an intercessor. As the Holy Spirit would give me prophetic insights for the church, I sought validation and approval from my church leaders. When I felt they weren’t listening or responding as quickly as I thought they should, I decided they must not be as spiritually in tune as I was. I began to look elsewhere for the affirmation I desired.

The sense of power and authority I gained from Spirit-inspired intercession was addicting. Because I felt that authorities in the natural would not listen to me, I seized the chance to be heard by those in the heavens. I wanted to be recognized, and when I couldn’t get it from the pulpit, I pursued it in the prayer room. Because I sought validation and approval more than honoring my spiritual leaders, my intercession became a noisy gong and a clanging cymbal.

The adversary recognizes illegitimate authority and will disqualify our prayers if we are not healed and set free from any resentment or criticism towards our leaders. When I realized what had happened, I repented for my underlying motivation and lay down my sense of entitlement. I made relationship priority over the latest word I received and determined to do more listening than reporting. I grew to understand that it wasn’t my spiritual insight or recognition in the natural that brought breakthrough, but my right standing with the Lord and with others that brought heaven’s favor and increase.

…God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).

If we want to see godly authority demonstrated in the Church, we must learn to walk together in mutual submission and lay down our right to be right. Even when confronting differences of perspective or opinion, we can approach it with right attitudes that honor God and one another. God’s Kingdom works through relationship and His desire is for us to walk and work together towards a unity of heart and oneness of spirit. That will take work and it will require dying to self – for everyone involved.

As we pray for those God has placed in authority, He has promised to deal with them accordingly. Our job is to keep our hearts clean, our mouths pure, and our relationships healthy. It will be from that posture that our prayers will be heard and our intercession will be powerful and effective.

Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. (Hebrews 13:17)

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Marianne Strenger
January 16, 2020

Not in leadership but My prayers are answered and words of knowledge are often given. When I pass them on to leadership and get no acknowledgment as received them; sometimes a simple thank you is wonderful to hear. I get my reward from Him who knows all things. A thank you is just kindness and human decency.

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Tom
January 16, 2020

Good insight into the responsibility of using a insight from God in proper relationship with Him and the body it can be useful for.

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Ron Bangert
January 16, 2020

“Keeping Short Accounts” was the term we used in our Covenant relationships as I stepped into Discipleship after I was ‘Saved’ during the Jesus Movement. It was the beginning of being ‘built up’ as a ‘living stone’, into a ‘holy dwelling’. Walking in the Light or Dying to Self was how we kept Fellowship, stayed close to Jesus. 42 years later that Foundational Truth has not waned.

Satan knows how to Divide and Conquer. Repentance brings us closer to Him & each other. Dying Daily was Paul’s motto, which probably began when he was struck blind by Jesus on his way to persecute the Church, while he was still Saul.

We are many members in the Body of Christ, this article is true towards oneness and unity. Great is the attack against this in the natural. James begs the question, “what is the source if quarrels and conflicts among you?” And he answers explicitly how we devour one another. We forget ‘a broken reed He will not break off’ or ‘a smoldering wick He will not snuff out’. When my wife and I are not right for a few days, prayers hit the ceiling and dribble off my lips, it’s my place to humble myself, pray, come along side, repent in specific of my sin, ask forgiveness. It is amazing how the Holy Spirit enters like a flood restoring us and our Love!

Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain; and he will bring forth the top stone with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” Zechariah 4:6‭-‬7

Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, To retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep. Psalms 127:1‭-‬2

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    Karen Secrest
    January 16, 2020

    When I was a Psyc major in college, the must read book was The Search For Significance by Maxwell. Thus, even in a Christian setting the focus was on self. Little was taught about humility or Grace or relationships since we were to be the Professionals.😋 Consequently, the Lord let me walk through the School of the Holy Spirit and learn to keep my mouth shut. Trusting in the Lord more and more. Still learning if God gets the Glory, then my life has fewer thunderstorms and He even let’s me share His Word when necessary. Glory to God in the highest and good will toward men on this Wonder filled day.

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      Ron Bangert
      January 16, 2020

      Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts….. the writer of Hebrews understood the ways of God in the earth!

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Lewis Turner
January 16, 2020

Wanda,

The insight of your article gives us much to consider. It takes humility to lay down our right to be right. Christ said, “I am humble”. Matthew 11:29. I know of many seeking to pray in a way that brings answers. Myself included. I too am an intercessor, with a focus on teaching people about the importance of prayer and a personal relationship with Jesus. Learning to be humble as we pray is so important. Asking the Lord to work on us is casting the beam out of our eye so we can see clearly. Matthew 7:5.

When someone is defensive and attacks me, I will admit that I become defensive back. That is not exercising humility on my part. When I ask the Lord to examine me and see if there is any wicked way in me (Including my thoughts, feelings, focus, reactions, etc) Psalms 139:24 I am opening my self to the Lord to cleanse my heart. I John 1:9. This process does not come easy, but it is Biblical, and what God asks of us.

I appreciated what you have shared, it is a good reminder to follow what God has instructed us to do. I am one who needs that encouragement.

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    Marilyn Wilson
    January 16, 2020

    I understand this and really appreciate your comment. I believe I had a similar experience last year when I was certain that something was wrong and I believe today that it was. Still I didn’t approach it with humility. It did however motivate some action and I think that the response what’s worthwhile. But we always have to be mindful that were sinners. Thank you for your words.

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