Joel 2:12-17

In my last entry we spoke of the Body of Christ turning away from sin and humbling ourselves before God and crying out to Him for repentance. We also spoke of the much needed prayer for our spiritual leaders that they also would turn from worldliness and sin and would boldly preach holiness to the Church. While praying for our church leaders, the Lord led me to Joel 2:12-17. Verses 12-16 are a call for the people of God to return to Him with all their hearts with fasting, weeping, and mourning. But verse 17 has a word for the priests. Joel 2:17Let the priests, the Lord's ministers, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say,"Spare Thy people, O Lord and do not make Thine inheritance a reproach, a byword among the nations."(NAS)Not only must we ask God for holy and righteous leaders who will boldly speak the truth but we also need to ask for praying leaders. Leaders who will weep and wail for the people of God. Leaders who will be good shepherds and will watch over the flock and be on the lookout for a wolf in sheep's clothing. We need to pray for leaders who will preach hard against sin and who know their sheep and will lay down their lives for them. Leaders who are alert to the evil influence that may be coming against their flock and fight against it and will look to God for direction. Who will not just operate out of programs, plans and intellect, but will operate according to Zechariah 4:6 Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.(NAS)Also pray for false prophets and false pastors to be exposed so the people of God will not be led astray. Pray for the King of Glory to come into our churches and into our services that He might be glorified in all holiness.