Newsletter November 2008

Workplace Intercession

Be a Gap Stander

Your prayers for those in the workplace can be a tremendous asset and make a significant difference. The important thing is to realize that God placed you strategically in the right place at the right time to pray so His kingdom comes and His will is done in the workplace. God is looking for those who will stand in the gap and pray for those in the workplace (Ez 22:30). Be a gap stander..

Pray Fervently

The next step is to pray. Pray fervently…pray with passion…pray with understanding… pray in your anointing…pray in the Spirit and pray with authority. Be sure to incorporate all you know about prayer and intercession that you have been using in the “church” as you pray for those in the workplace. This includes prayers of praise, prayers of thanksgiving, prayers of confession, prayers of forgiveness, petitions, declarations and decrees.

Check Your Armor and Weapons

Remember to put on your spiritual armor – the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:14-18). Don’t stop there. Use the appropriate weapon of warfare the Lord has made available to you for the situation you are praying about. These include praying in the name of Jesus, appropriating the blood of Jesus, prayers of agreement, fasting, praise, binding and loosing, and praying the Word.

Be Trustworthy

If you were to ask a business person “How can I pray for you and your business?” they will probably respond with something like, “However the Lord directs you.” Unless they know they can trust you, business people are not going to open their heart to you. They need to have a relationship with you first. They are not about to share intimate details with you right away. But once they know who you are, affirm you are a person of integrity and know you hear from God, then they may share one simple request with you. Remember, once they share prayer needs, keeping this information confidential is extremely important to them.

Why Pray?

You may ask “Why is it important to pray for those in the workplace…or those in my workplace?” God is invading and moving mightily in and through the workplace. They are constantly under attack from demonic powers. There is a steady influx of demonic influence and persuasion. Why? Perhaps because those in the workplace have not received prayer covering like those in the church. People spend more time in their place of work than they do in church and yet we pray more for people in the church than we do for those in their workplace. Satan is very aware that if finances are released to advance the kingdom of God, multitudes will come to Christ and nations will be changed.

Do the Warfare

You may have to do some spiritual warfare to push back the darkness so others in the workplace can pray effectively too. When you are praying in your workplace, you help establish a Godly environment for your sphere of influence. Walk and pray through the building or your work area knowing every place you set your foot, God has given you the land (Gen 13:17). Ask God for a way and time to do this type of prayer so you do not distract or offend others. You may need to do this after hours. Protecting Your Home from Spiritual Darkness by Chuck Pierce is an excellent resource on how to spiritually cleanse your home. The same principles can be applied very successfully in your work area.

Release Prayers

When you release your prayers on their behalf, it creates a spiritual climate so they are inspired and motivated to make wise decisions. Your prayers help them focus on their priorities. They are able to sort out how their relationship with God fits in the workplace, family, church and extra-curricular activities. Peace is released through your prayers and puts a stop to anxiety, worry, concern and apprehension which are some of the biggest robbers of their time and energy. Your prayers release God’s divine power to push back evil forces that can keep doors closed. Prayers also release favor with key people and open doors!

Seek God for a Prayer Strategy

This includes asking God for words of encouragement, scripture and prophetic words that will build up those you are praying for. Declare God’s Word over the people, business and situations. Say what the Lord says, not what you think. When you do this, heaven moves and hell trembles. God is bound by His Word to honor His Word, His purposes and His plans. Isaiah 55:11 says, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it (NIV). We often see incredible breakthroughs as the result of declarations and proclamations. Be intentional and specific you pray.

Here are some specific prayer points to pray for those in the workplace:

· Declare they will know, understand and walk in their calling with confidence and assurance that God is directing them every step of the way.

· Pray they will know how to hear God’s voice so they can receive His plan and vision for their work.

· Pray they will receive and respond to the Word of the Lord. Declare they will be able to put into action all the Lord reveals to them.

· Declare they walk in clarity. Speak to the cloud of darkness that is covering them or holding them back. Remove the veil from their eyes and declare they will see situations and people as God sees them.

· Pray they will receive Godly strategies for negotiating, to open doors and to break through closed doors.

· Declare they will be ethical, fair and just and do what is morally right.

· Proclaim they will walk in integrity being upright, honest, truthful and reliable.

· Pray they will be conscientious about finances, make cost effective choices but will not betray the principles instilled in them or compromise their values.

· Declare they will not compromise, will not make borderline decisions and will not justify their actions because they didn’t receive any kickbacks for their decision.

· Declare they will not justify bankrupting another company they are doing business with because the short-term effects are to make money for their company.

· Declare they will not take money under the table thinking the company benefits from their actions.

· Pray they will not only be concerned about the bottom line (finances) but they will have compassion for those affected or who may loose their jobs due to cut backs made by their leadership.

· Pray they will not be a hypocrite. Declare they will be the same person on the job as they are in the church and in the home.

· Pray they will be obedient to God’s Word and know how to interpret integrity according to the Word of God.

· Declare they will use their career to promote Christ and not Christ to promote their career.

· Pray they will have a sense of missions and ministry in their workplace.

· Declare they will be prosperous and have the finances to do the work.

· Declare they will not yield to temptations, but will resist them.

· Pray they will walk in peace and not anxiety.

· Declare the gifts of the Spirit will operate through them.

· Proclaim they will be successful.

· Pray they will raise up leaders and empower them.

Have a blessed holiday season and a joyful new year!
Ralph, Tommi, Dianne and Erica