Since this month began, we have been examining spiritual stewardship, which is the core of kingdom stewardship and it includes soul-winning, soul discipleship and kingdom-focused prayers and intercessions. We must understand that the demands of spiritual stewardship goes beyond outreaches; it also includes ‘up-reaches’ which is prayer stewardship (Luke 18:1).Prayer Stewardship entails praying concerning the salvation of men, and going on outreaches to witness the gospel that will convince them to accept Jesus. More often than not, we emphasize so much on the outreaches and fail in the ‘up-reaches’, which is what empowers the outreaches to produce.
What ‘up-reaches’ does is to provide equal opportunities for the old and young to be part of Kingdom enlargement engagement (Luke 2:36-37). For instance, Epaphraslaboured fervently in prayer that the people may be perfect and complete in all the will of God. Also, Anna, an 84-year-old woman, served God day and night infasting and prayers (Colossians 4:12; Luke 2: 36-37). However, it is important to know that both ‘up-reaches’ and outreaches have the same reward.
How do we inengage Prayer Stewardship?
¯ We Pray to see Souls Saved: The devil is holding the souls of men captive; however,when we engage in prayer stewardship, we break his hold and rescue them for the Kingdom(Luke 11:21-22; Ezekiel 36:37-38).
¯ To see souls Established: After they are saved, we travail in prayers to see Christ formed in them and for them to be established in the faith (Galatians 4:19).
¯ To see the will of God Established in their Lives: We pray for them to experience breakthroughs and have their needs meet (Colossians 4:12).
¯ We pray for the Church: We pray for the Word of God to have a free course as the ministers preach (2 Thessalonians 3:1).
¯ We pray for Signs and Wonders in the House of God:The Bible says:Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession (Psalm 2:8).
In addition, we must understand that prayer is a closet ministry; but the reward is always in the open.Also, scriptures help us to understand that whatever good thing we do for others, we will receive the same from the Lord(Matthew 6:6;Ephesians 6:8).
What, then, are the Wonders of Kingdom Stewardship?
| Among the blessings of Kingdom stewardship for the now is long-life. As it written:
And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee. There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil (Exodus 23:25-26).
This means that as part of our returns for serving God, His integrity is committed to fulfil the number of our days. There is no careless statement in scriptures; thus, when the Bible said God will fulfil the numbers of our days, it is guaranteed thatHe will make do His promise.
Therefore, what number are our days?
The Bible says:And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years (Genesis 6:3; see alsoIsaiah 65:20).Furthermore, the Bible says: The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away (Psalm 90:10).
That means God has given a baseline; 70 is the minimum and by reason of strength, it can be any number between 70 and 120. As horrific as death may appear, it is subjected to our choice (Deuteronomy 30:19).This means what we see is what we receive.
For instance, David saw 70 by revelation and died at 70; Moses saw 120 and he passed on at 120 (Deuteronomy 34:7).
However, let me show you two scriptural illustrations: Paul and Stephen were both stoned to death.When Stephen was stoned, he said:…Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep (Acts 7:59-60).
Paul the apostle was also stoned in Acts 14:19-20: And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
Paul chose to retain his spirit and God granted it to him; we can do same.
It is also important for us to know thatJesus conquered the one,who had the power of death, to rescue us from the assault and bondage of death.That means death can no longer determine our life span(Hebrews 2:14-15;Revelation 1:18).
Therefore, as you engage the weaponry of prayer to see souls saved and established in God’s Kingdom, no devil can cut short the number of your days.Remember, we have victory over the sting of death and the grave through the resurrection of Jesus (Ephesians 6:16).
However, it is only those who are born again that can partake of this long life heritage. Are you born again? This means, have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord? If you haven’t, you can do so as you say this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the Living God. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!”
For further reading, please get my books: Wisdom that Works, Walking in Wisdom, All you need to have all your needs met, Winning Wisdom and Excellency of Wisdom.
I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have four services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. respectively.
I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 7747546-8; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org