Grant our leaders courage to lead. Isaiah described you as (Isaiah 59:17) putting “on righteousness as a breastplate, And a helmet of salvation on His head; He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, And was clad with zeal as a cloak.”
Zechariah described the authority and origin of true leadership (4:6): “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.”
Grant each leader present today courage to lead the organization to which You have appointed us. We need you to clothe us in Yourself, so that we can serve You courageously as we ought.
Clothe us in righteous actions. Clothe us with the power of Your Holy Spirit. Clothe us with the perfect love of the Lord Jesus Christ. I want Your armor to protect us against Satan, wicked leaders, spiritual sabotage, and against roaring assaults. Protect us against the espionage of spiritual powers that oppose You. Secure our spiritual garments with the belt of Truth. Hold us together. Shield our hearts, our affections, and our passions with Your righteousness. Protect our desires. Help us to trek the journey that is graced by Your peace. If our path removes us from the Witness of Your Spirit, guide us gently to return to the course You trace.
We raise our shield of faith to advance against the hailstorm of Satan’s assault. Grant us the courage to lead others and to wrest from the enemy that which he has maliciously seized, and return the bounty of conquest to You as an offering of praise. Protect the knowledge of my mind through the Witness of Your Spirit, that we may know the reality of Your approval and the assurance of Your great salvation. We will advance against the foe, rallying others to join, through the sword of Your Holy Spirit–the Word of God, as our offense.
The old preacher’s prayer humors and challenges me: "Oh Lord, give me a backbone as big as a saw log, ribs like the sleepers under the church floor, put iron shoes on me and galvanized breeches, give me a rhinoceros hide for a skin, and hang a wagon load of determination up in the gable-end of my soul, and help me to sign the contract to fight the devil as long as I've got a fist and bite him as long as I have a tooth, then gum him till I die..."
Grant us the courage of the Lord Jesus Christ when he cleansed the temple. May Your Divine Imperative urge us to take up the tasks that matter to You. Remind us that there is enough time each day to do Your will, and then grant us the wisdom to discern what that includes, and to lay aside the tasks that are not Your priority for our time and energy.
Lord God, there will be inevitable casualties in the conflict. Help us to love the fallen, to embrace the discouraged, and to care for the mortally wounded. Then grant us the grace to return to the conflict, pressing the battle for righteousness against Your foes. You have promised ultimate victory. Now give us courage to lead today.
In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
Amen.
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