Pray for Your Church
Revelation 2:1-7
The Apostle John, lead pastor of seven churches along a mail/trade route in Asia, was exiled to a prison island for preaching the gospel. Using a plethora of symbols he was given a prophetic vision of what must happen before Jesus returns for His Bride (Church). Chapters Two and Three give us prayer strategies for our churches today; apparently we’re no different and God’s timeless Word is still alive and active when we pray it.
These highly symbolic, visionary passages show Jesus tightly holding His Church (the Seven Stars) for all time and in all places with His authoritative right hand while striding among them. Let’s seriously read the commendations, but also the corrections of each church and hear what the Spirit may be saying to our local church.
First of all, Jesus ‘knows’, He’s observed your church, He understands your enduring, hard work and you don’t give up. The gifts of the Spirit are in operation, particularly discernment (1 Cor. 12:7-11), or recognizing what’s evil or false and calling it out. The ‘works of the Nicolaitans’, which probably points to toleration, inclusiveness, and compromise is specified. Every spiritual gift is necessary to have a healthy church, that’s why the Spirit disperses them when needed.
On the other hand, this church, and maybe ours, has lost the passion and love for Christ they had at the beginning. Their leaders (also translated messenger or angel) are called to remember and repent: so are we. Is the preaching at your church full of Holy Spirit anointing? Are the small groups passionate about prayer and intimacy with Jesus Christ? Are you following Jesus’ command to care for the poor, send the gospel to the nations, and re-present Him well? He loved people, told them the truth, and forgave those who humbled themselves. Do you sense some prayer points?
Every one of the seven churches of Revelation 2 & 3 were admonished to have ears that hear the voice of the Spirit. Are we listening? Let’s pray for our pastors and church leaders to lead us be a Nike Church, conquering the enemy’s deceptions so we’ll eat from the Tree of Life in God’s paradise at His Return.
Holy Spirit come and give my church leaders ears to hear Your commendation, but more importantly, where we need correction. We desire to remember the passion of our beginning and how far we’ve fallen; soften our hearts to repent. Give us new ways of serving You as we serve others with hearts that care for people. If we’ve tolerated false teaching give us truth. If we’ve neglected being different from the world and slid into inclusiveness, set us apart unto holiness once again. If we’ve compromised our beliefs and settled for less than the truth of Your Word enlighten our hearts and minds. In You we’re conquerors over the devil; he will not prevail against our church, and we’ll eat from Your tree bringing kingdom life to our congregations. In Jesus name I pray.
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