SUNDAY 26TH APRIL 2020.THEME: INTERCESSION FOR LEADER

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: SUNDAY 26TH APRIL 2020.

THEME: INTERCESSION FOR LEADER.  

MEMORISE:

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 1 Timothy 2:1-2

READ: 1 Timothy 2:1-4

1I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

MESSAGE 

“…Smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.” Zechariah 13:7

Leaders of any group are very important to the future of the followers. The character, circle of friends, background, process of decision-making and even their emotional wellbeing all have a great impact on the people they are leading. This is why it is important that you pray for your leaders regularly.

We need to pray concerning their character and work ethics. Ecclesiastes 10:16 says: 

“Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!”

We need to pray concerning their circle of friends and the kind of advice they give them (1 Kings 12:9-14). They are targets of the devil because he knows that once he strikes the shepherd, the sheep will scatter.

It is not just the political leaders you should pray for, but your spiritual leaders as well; their actions and inactions can greatly affect the Church as a whole. If the Church leaders are spiritually blind, there will be trouble in the land. You need to also pray for the leaders in the country, principals and teachers in your children’s school, as their decisions can greatly affect your children. Pray for leaders of industries as their decisions concerning quality and prices have a great effect on millions of lives. Pray for those at the forefront of technological innovations in our generation, who wield great influence on what our children will consume. Imagine if the leaders in the technological industries were all born again, imagine the great impact that would make on the next generation. This is why I always encourage my children to go ahead and lead. Whatever sphere of life you are in, be the best and lead the rest. The more Christian leaders we have in the society, the more the kingdom of God forges ahead.

ACTION POINT:

Spend time praying for the leaders in different spheres of life in your nation and the world at large.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Chronicles 6.

 

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE 

HYMN 18:  MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE.

1. My faith looks up to Thee,

Thou Lamb of Calvary,

Savior divine!

Now hear me while I pray,

Take all my guilt away,

Oh, let me from this day

Be wholly Thine!

2. May Thy rich grace impart

Strength to my fainting heart,

My zeal inspire!

As Thou hast died for me,

Oh, may my love to Thee

Pure, warm, and changeless be,

A living fire!

3. While life’s dark maze I tread,

And griefs around me spread,

Be Thou my guide;

Bid darkness turn to day,

Wipe sorrow’s tears away,

Nor let me ever stray

From Thee aside.

4. When ends life’s transient dream,

When death’s cold, sullen stream

Shall o’er me roll;

Blest Savior, then in love,

Fear and distrust remove;

Oh, bear me safe above,

A ransomed soul!