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Interestingly he gives this warning in the context of leadership. Exercising
leadership contains many potential dangers and pitfalls and Peter warns us
to be self-controlled and alert. I have often reflected on how much easier
it was to recognise the spiritual warfare when working 'on the front line'
in North Africa than in the International Office. How easy to forget that
technical challenges, financial needs, deadlines, writing assignments,
presentations and interpersonal relationships are just some of the areas
that the enemy seeks to exploit in his warfare against the Kingdom of God.
Leaders Consultation is not just a glorified business meeting! It has the
potential to be a space where God meets with us and anoints us in a fresh
and powerful way for His Kingdom work. The International Director of a UK
NGO writes with suggestions for prayer, leading up to the Leadership
Consultation (LC) in Chiang Mai, 21 – 30 May:
‘As
we prepare ourselves for LC, I have been drawn again to Paul's vital
instruction to us in 2 Cor 10: 3-4 'For
though we live in the world we do not wage war as the world does. The
weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary,
they have divine power to demolish strongholds.'
Our struggle is not with each other, technology, administrative systems or
lack of time and money. Therefore we do not depend on 'human' solutions to
our challenges. Our struggle is a heavenly one and God has equipped us, in
Christ, to wage the real war with authority and assurance of salvation and
victory. Please pray daily for yourself and for your colleagues as the
spirit leads you. You may find the following areas helpful.
1.
For personal spiritual alertness, self-control, holiness and purity. Claim
the grace and forgiveness that is ours through the cross. Rejoice in Jesus
and his love and mercy!
2.
For righteousness in relationships and a spirit of humility, love and grace.
Allow the Holy Spirit to search you and do His work. Do what you can to put
right any broken relationships before the event. Pray for the gracious
brooding of the Holy Spirit over all our conversations. Difficult things may
need to be said but pray for grace and truth to be equally evident.
3.
For the spouses and children of participants: presence of God, provision of
needs, grace in every challenge, security. Pray that our families will find
this time a time of growth and deeper experience of God as Father, mother,
provider, protector and source of every good thing.
4.
Personal preparation for the sessions by reading background materials and
prayer over all parts for the programme. Allow God to prepare you as you
read, think and prepare to meet with Him and your colleagues.
5.
That God would be glorified! We long to leave LC having met with Him,
understanding better His call and His mission, renewed and refreshed in His
service and rededicated to Him.’
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