I just had the most beautiful conversation with my sister Tracy. What I heard her say about her ministry to children really inspired me... it has been on my heart for a long time, but it has all over again, as if never before, inspired me.
She spoke of her childrens' ministry small group leaders being young and how they are carrying the spiritual as well as physical load for their individual ministries.... I believe that this point can be in any form, young or old, alone or in a surrounding of others, we all need this.... The need? Prayer covering.
She was awakend by the Lord just the other night, to pray over these leaders. The passage that the Lord pointed out to her was of the wall rebuilding that Nehemiah lead the people of Isreal to do. It was asked of them to work with all their hearts at rebuilding the walls around Jerusalem. While they worked, they were being attacked by enemies who would want not only for them to be destroyed, but that the walls they worked to rebuild, would not be able to be rebuilt.
This project required them to battle with both a sword and a work implement. There is a double requirement upon them. What happened then was that Nehemiah called the families of these workers to support the one working by defending in battle beside the one who worked.
The lesson learned from this story was that we need to battle spiritually to cover the work of those who serve as well as cover the one who works. The burden Tracy felt was to ask the families of her leaders to take time each sunday to pray with their teen who is leading, or spouse who is leading, and cover them, and the ministry they are participating in. They should be covered by those who know them, and who will take this burden on, as a part of their spirtual act of service.
The project or ministry in completion will be so honoring and amazing that we will not be able to believe what God could do with just one persons obedience. He will be glorified in thier lives, many will be impacted by thier ministry outpouring, and those who fought for them in the spirit will be impacted in their faith.
It was also to call families to be purposeful to pray together, and to know the needs and ask the connective questions that will allow them in so they can pray effectively.
Another part of the burden, was for the effectiveness of the minsitry... that these leaders will be empowered and have boldness to share God's truth, and hope with those they are leading. And ask and believe God for the fruit of a harvest of souls to come out of this service to Him.
What a beautiful picture that has caused in my spirit. There are so many of us serving with no one warring for us. It is a shame that needs to be corrected.
Should this affect your perspective on what is happening in your life, I would challenge you to choose someone who is ministering consistantly around you... and become their warrior. There is a heavenly perspective that will come from being faithful to this, that alot of people will lack. I would challenge that apathy, and ask that God would burden us to see the Kingdom purposes that lay within each opportunity to interact with a child, or anyone... He calles us to be Jesus to.
Praise the Lord for this impacting conversation. Be empowered to have an eternal impact!
May the Lord be glorified in our lives.
