Standing in the Gap for Kingdom Expansion
“If they are prophets, and the word of the Lord is with them, then let them make intercession for the Lord of hosts” (Jeremiah 27:18).
Over the past 15 years of engaging in marketplace intercession, I have continually received revelation from the Holy Spirit on the significant role that marketplace leaders play in the grand narrative God is writing. As He extends His family and builds His Kingdom across the earth, it is an tremendous privilege to partner in prayer with God’s influential leaders who are shaping the planet through their decisions and interactions. This partnership is not just about praying for their success, for success sake, but it’s about standing in the gap with them and for them, interceding for their spiritual growth, integrity, and the advancement of God’s Kingdom through their influence.
I wanted to share with you some of the things I have learned and give you a insiders view of some the ways I pray with and for our CEO partners.
Marketplace Intercessory prayer is a powerful and essential partnership in the kingdom because it bridges the gap between heaven and earth, bringing God’s purposes into reality. As intercessors, we have the honor of entering God’s courts as priests, decreeing and declaring the needed solutions of marketplace leaders before the Lord. We leave His courts as kings, proclaiming His decrees and establishing His purposes in the earth. This dual role allows us to be both advocates and authority figures, partnering with God to see His Kingdom come in the marketplace.
One of the most profound aspects of intercessory prayer is the ability to use our sanctified imagination to agree with heaven so the the reality of on earth as it is in Heaven can be realized. I often ask God, “What does Christ-like transformation look like in this particular sphere of influence?” When praying for a specific CEO or partner, I begin to declare and decree what comes into my mind and spirit. Every incredible technology and thriving business model we depend on in our society began in someone’s imagination. We, as a people, were made in the image of God. The root word of imagination is “image.” We originated in the imagination of God’s heart. God created the cosmos with His imagination, and with that same heart and mind, I pray the Father’s heart connected to my spirit. This is not some fantasy world of make believe – where we just make something up in our minds- but truly inspired, holy Spirit sanctified prophetic possibilities.
Engaging my imagination to envision God’s full plan for that sphere of society is a powerful tool in intercession. I spend a copious amount of time listening and proclaiming what I feel and hear. Next, I then intercede for their marriage and children, asking God to release the ingenuity and strategies of heaven over them. I ask the Father to release the blueprints of heaven over that CEO and their company. Once I have prayed for their company, team, and families, I inquire of the Lord about the prayers He is praying over them. I discern what Jesus, our great high priest and intercessor, is praying, and I repeat it out loud.
Next I move into more of Spiritual warfare time of prayer. I ask the Lord to post angelic watchmen to protect every area of the CEO’s life, family, and team. I pray for warring angels to push back darkness and the temptations, and cares of this world. I end my time of prayer by thanking God for the breakthroughs He is releasing and I agree with the Father’s heart on how the Kingdom is being extended through this person and their organization.
The role of intercessory partnership is crucial in creating a spiritual covering for marketplace leaders. Thes leaders on the cutting edge – the frontlines of extending the Kingdom. These leaders need prayer partnership in a incredible way. By standing in the gap and lifting them up in prayer, we are not only supporting their endeavors but also partnering with God to bring about cultural reformation in every sphere of society. This partnership in prayer is vital for the manifestation of God’s presence and power in the marketplace. Revelation 11:15 says, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” The only we are going to know how this happens is by proximity to the Father’s heart. That happens by long loving times of intimate friendship with the Godhead.
One of the most powerful and impactful areas of missional outreach is the marketplace. Everyone works somewhere- they need to work and make a living, and it is in these environments that they often encounter God. His power, compassion, connection, friendship, and relationality can be experienced in the workplace. I invite you to join me in praying for those in the marketplace, that they may experience and express the manifestation of God’s presence where they work and create resources for their families.
Sons and daughters are made for collaboration and partnership. We cannot reach the places God is calling us to go on our own. God requires full submission to His heart and collaboration, partnership with other people. The Kingdom moves at the speed of relationship. Let us posture our hearts to be selfless, to give away what God has given us, and to seek opportunities to extend His Kingdom through our spheres of influence.
Declarative Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the marketplace leaders and the significant role they play in Your Kingdom. We declare Your presence powerfully manifested in their lives and their spheres of influence. Release Your strategies, blueprints, and breakthroughs over them. Surround them with angelic protection and let them experience Your love and guidance in all they do. We decree that Your Kingdom is advancing through their leadership and that they are conduits of Your blessings, bringing transformation to the marketplace. Amen.
For more information on CoReign, more resources, e-courses, and articles, please go to coreign.org.
