Articles, Questions, & Answers

by Eddie Smith

Q: Eddie, the intercessors of our city are suffering from spiritual fatigue. They have been faithfully engaged in spiritual warfare for more than two years while the pastors, ministries, and churches have been undertaking many city taking events.

A: Intercessors are front-line warriors in the ancient battle between the Kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness. Thank you for caring for and for honoring them. After reflecting on your question, I feel it may be helpful for some of your intercessors to be taught some balance issues.

1. Inexperienced intercessors sometimes take the Lord’s burden upon themselves and it wears them down. It’s God’s burden. Only God can carry it. They must learn to lay the weight of it at the cross in the prayer closet and leave it there. Intercession is more about taking the burden to the right place than it is about “carrying” the burden.

A misunderstanding about this causes some intercessors to experience depression-like symptoms because they are unable to balance their prayer life with their life.

An experienced, mature intercessor will be the most natural person you know. They live in the joy of the Lord. They learn to rest “in the battle” not “from the battle.” This is because they know their role.

2. Another issue is the matter of assignment. Some are fatigued and frazzled because they take upon themselves intercessory assignments that God hasn’t given them. Immature intercessors will often take any assignment they are asked to take. Some do so because they feel that is “their job.” Others do so because they don’t want to disappoint their leaders. And some, because they want to be close to leadership … a pride issue.

They eventually tire of praying, or forget to do so. Then they feel guilty. Finally, feeling overwhelmed by the weight and guilty because they are unable to continue, they can’t bring themselves to look their leader(s) in the eye and begin to withdraw. They don’t know how to “bow out” gracefully. They are afraid to continue and afraid not to.

On the other hand, mature intercessors will only take assignments that God gives them. They have learned that they must have His direct assignment. They know that there is a difference between praying for something or someone and carrying an intercessory assignment for it. They only “carry the intercessory assignments” that God gives them. For they know that His strength will be necessary over the long haul.

3. Finally, many experienced and inexperienced intercessors need to know how to “take a break.” We pastors know that we must take a day off … sometimes, several days off. Intercessors can feel that “the part they play” is so critical to the process that they can’t afford to “take a break.” Some can feel that their family is an intrusion on their prayer assignment. They allow their “prayer ministry” to take precedent over their ministry to themselves (their own spiritual condition) and their families. As a result, they and their families suffer.

As leaders, we must let them know that they are partners with God and that God will “cover for them” should they need to take a break. God shifts the weight among His intercessors. I need to know that when I need a break, God will shift the load to another intercessor to enable me to take one. It’s not a shame for me to need rest. And, it can be a matter of pride … taking myself too seriously … not to be willing take a break. The truth is it’s not usually a matter of pride. It’s a matter of sincerity and commitment to the job. Intercessors have a high level of commitment.

Like pastors, they must learn to balance their ministry and their family assignments.

I’m grateful for your concern for your intercessors. God will bless you for blessing them. Look for ways to bless them. If we pastoral leaders are going to do what we see the Father doing (John 5:19), Jesus said in Matthew 6:6 that God “rewards them openly.” So, any rewarding of our intercessors for their very private ministry is in line with what the Father is doing.

A banquet, a breakfast, a conference, a retreat are all ways that this can be accomplished. It is important, however, that it doesn’t just end up being another prayer meeting. There are times for prayer meetings (of course), but there are also times for relaxation, recreation, and celebration. Celebrate them!