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Prayer Shield How to Intercede for Pastors, Christian Leaders, and Others on the Spiritual Frontlines
Right now, someone you know is in desperate need of your prayers. It's the person out on the front line, leading God's army into the world to proclaim His good news. Pastors, teachers, and all types of leaders are under severe attack from the enemy. And they're depending on the prayers of those who care to help see them through. The enemy knows where our leaders are vulnerable, and he strikes at their weakest points. But the greater power is on our side. Through intercessory prayer you can reinforce your leaders with God's strength and protection.
203 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
58 people are currently reading
332 people want to read
About the author
C. Peter Wagner
196 books46 followersCharles Peter Wagner (August 15, 1930 – October 21, 2016) was a theologian, missiologist, missionary, writer, teacher, and church growth specialist best known for his highly controversial writings on spiritual warfare.
Wagner served as a missionary in Bolivia under the South American Mission and Andes Evangelical Mission (now SIM International) from 1956 to 1971. He then served for 30 years (1971 to 2001) as Professor of Church Growth at the Fuller Theological Seminary's School of World Missions until his retirement in 2001. He is the author of more than 70 books. He was the president of Global Harvest Ministries from 1993 to 2011 and served as the chancellor emeritus of Wagner Leadership Institute, which trains leaders to join in a movement known as the New Apostolic Reformation, an organization Wagner also helped found. He was also the vice president of Global Spheres, Inc.
Excerpted from: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._Pete...]
Wagner served as a missionary in Bolivia under the South American Mission and Andes Evangelical Mission (now SIM International) from 1956 to 1971. He then served for 30 years (1971 to 2001) as Professor of Church Growth at the Fuller Theological Seminary's School of World Missions until his retirement in 2001. He is the author of more than 70 books. He was the president of Global Harvest Ministries from 1993 to 2011 and served as the chancellor emeritus of Wagner Leadership Institute, which trains leaders to join in a movement known as the New Apostolic Reformation, an organization Wagner also helped found. He was also the vice president of Global Spheres, Inc.
Excerpted from: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._Pete...]
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 27, 2017
Anyone who is in a leadership position of ministry is going to have to deal with attacks by the enemy against them and the ministry. Therefore, it is important to have people standing with you to intercede on your behalf. This book lays out the reasoning for such prayer coverage and the various categories of coverage. It then goes on with practical aspects of how to select trustworthy individuals, communicate, and deal with issues that arise.
This book was recommended to me by a friend who knows that there are several ministry leaders that I'm praying for on a regular basis. The subtitle is a little misleading in that much of the book seemed to be directed towards the leaders and having them recognize the need for prayer coverage. Yet it is good for those of us as pray-ers as well because that same information helps us to see the need for what we're doing. This is the first of his books that I've read and the style is very readable. I'll certainly investigate some of the other books he's written on prayer.
This book was recommended to me by a friend who knows that there are several ministry leaders that I'm praying for on a regular basis. The subtitle is a little misleading in that much of the book seemed to be directed towards the leaders and having them recognize the need for prayer coverage. Yet it is good for those of us as pray-ers as well because that same information helps us to see the need for what we're doing. This is the first of his books that I've read and the style is very readable. I'll certainly investigate some of the other books he's written on prayer.
February 3, 2020
This book may be the most important in the area of prayer for ministers and the setup of intercessory prayer team. Peter's examples encourage me to form my own intercessory prayer team in level three to level one. This book should be read by every pastors and brothers and sisters whose are willing to pray for their pastors.
April 29, 2008
I just finished reading this book. Even though it was geared towards pastors and leaders to read, I enjoyed it and learned a little about interceding and some new things about myself... which is always a good thing.
September 5, 2019
Great book about how to support pastors and other spiritual leaders in prayer. This brought up some stuff I hadn't thought of before. It's geared more toward pastors, but I definitely got something out of it.
November 23, 2020
I thought it was pretty good. He gave some great insight on the three different types intercessors. The biggest thing I learned, though, is that we shouldn't go through life (warfare) alone, that there are others willing to pray for you and help you fight, you just have to find them! Great read.
February 6, 2017
My first comment: 'Wow! I wish everyone I know could read this book!'
March 28, 2022
Reviewed by: Mary Lou Codman-Wilson, PhD Pastoral Psychology, Psychological Anthropology, Christian Education and Buddhism.
Review:
Peter Wagner has been a prolific writer on issues of prayer, spiritual gifts, church growth etc., but this reviewer thinks his revised, updated 2014 version of Prayer Shield rises it to the top of his publications. Why? Because his own understanding of the dynamics of prayer-partner intercessors, spiritual warfare that addresses the role of principalities and powers, and the growing need of Christian leaders in the marketplace catapults the book into the decades of the 2020’s. His expanded horizons/ applications can move God’s purposes forward in a very significant way.
He says “Prayer, generally speaking, simply means talking with God. Intercession is coming to God on behalf of another . . .by one who has the proper standing before God,. . .Maintaining a special intimacy with God is a high priority for intercessors. . .As intercessors they expect frequent bouts with the spirits of wickedness that are out to destroy the work of God. . . Intercessors pull down the strongholds of Satan. They are a mighty battering ram…Intercessory prayer is warfare, and the principal way in which the warfare is carried on. The warfare has to be won first in prayer and then worked out in practice” (pp. 23, 25, 177, 33).
Wagner makes a vital distinction between the roles all Christians are expected to fulfill, such as prayer, and the spiritual gifts God gives to specific people for a Spirit-anointed ministry. He believes there is a spiritual gift of intercession. . .
These intercessors “maintain a close relationship with God, perceive words from God [and thus are able ‘to discern the will of God’ (p.160)], employ prophetic intercession- i.e., ‘An urging to pray given by the Holy Spirit for situations or circumstances about which you have very little knowledge in the natural’(p.163), maintain open communication [with the leader for whom they ‘stand in the gap’ (p.23)], protect confidentiality, and pray prayer requests that are on the heart of God” (p.164).
Wagner’s revised book documents innumerable instances in daily life and in the Bible of how specific intercessory prayer has provided the spiritual power for leaders in Christian ministry. For example, Steven Johnson, president of Word Indigenous Missions, took a course with Wagner at Fuller Seminary where Wagner mentioned personal intercession. He wrote Wagner and said:
As president of a world-wide church planting ministry I found myself under severe spiritual attack. This resulted in extreme fatigue, the vexing of my soul, as well as spiritual attacks on my family.’ [So he formed a team of prayer partners for the first time.] “Results of this were overwhelming. . .Within days I sensed a tremendous lifting of spiritual oppressions. I sensed a freedom concerning warfare that was attacking my family as well as my personal ministry . . In these last ten months, I can give testimony to being significantly different than in the months and years prior to having this prayer team (p. 171).
John falls under Wagner’s expanded list of people who need intercessory partners – not just pastors but also apostles, prophets, evangelists and teachers. Unfortunately, western culture is dominated by a scientific materialism worldview that discounts the existence and power of the oppressive forces of evil Johnson is attesting to and Wagner’s book explains in detail. Jesus himself affirmed Satan’s reality and evil purposes (Jn. 8:44, Jn. 14:29-31, Jn. 16:11, Jn. 16:33, Jn. 17:15).
Therefore, Christian leaders in many levels and locations of ministry are advised to heed Wagner’s admonitions, form an intercessory team who will support them and win the battles mounted against them by Satanic forces. The cost is too great to ignore Wagner’s advice. As he says, “Go, and do it!” (p.191)!!
Review:
Peter Wagner has been a prolific writer on issues of prayer, spiritual gifts, church growth etc., but this reviewer thinks his revised, updated 2014 version of Prayer Shield rises it to the top of his publications. Why? Because his own understanding of the dynamics of prayer-partner intercessors, spiritual warfare that addresses the role of principalities and powers, and the growing need of Christian leaders in the marketplace catapults the book into the decades of the 2020’s. His expanded horizons/ applications can move God’s purposes forward in a very significant way.
He says “Prayer, generally speaking, simply means talking with God. Intercession is coming to God on behalf of another . . .by one who has the proper standing before God,. . .Maintaining a special intimacy with God is a high priority for intercessors. . .As intercessors they expect frequent bouts with the spirits of wickedness that are out to destroy the work of God. . . Intercessors pull down the strongholds of Satan. They are a mighty battering ram…Intercessory prayer is warfare, and the principal way in which the warfare is carried on. The warfare has to be won first in prayer and then worked out in practice” (pp. 23, 25, 177, 33).
Wagner makes a vital distinction between the roles all Christians are expected to fulfill, such as prayer, and the spiritual gifts God gives to specific people for a Spirit-anointed ministry. He believes there is a spiritual gift of intercession. . .
These intercessors “maintain a close relationship with God, perceive words from God [and thus are able ‘to discern the will of God’ (p.160)], employ prophetic intercession- i.e., ‘An urging to pray given by the Holy Spirit for situations or circumstances about which you have very little knowledge in the natural’(p.163), maintain open communication [with the leader for whom they ‘stand in the gap’ (p.23)], protect confidentiality, and pray prayer requests that are on the heart of God” (p.164).
Wagner’s revised book documents innumerable instances in daily life and in the Bible of how specific intercessory prayer has provided the spiritual power for leaders in Christian ministry. For example, Steven Johnson, president of Word Indigenous Missions, took a course with Wagner at Fuller Seminary where Wagner mentioned personal intercession. He wrote Wagner and said:
As president of a world-wide church planting ministry I found myself under severe spiritual attack. This resulted in extreme fatigue, the vexing of my soul, as well as spiritual attacks on my family.’ [So he formed a team of prayer partners for the first time.] “Results of this were overwhelming. . .Within days I sensed a tremendous lifting of spiritual oppressions. I sensed a freedom concerning warfare that was attacking my family as well as my personal ministry . . In these last ten months, I can give testimony to being significantly different than in the months and years prior to having this prayer team (p. 171).
John falls under Wagner’s expanded list of people who need intercessory partners – not just pastors but also apostles, prophets, evangelists and teachers. Unfortunately, western culture is dominated by a scientific materialism worldview that discounts the existence and power of the oppressive forces of evil Johnson is attesting to and Wagner’s book explains in detail. Jesus himself affirmed Satan’s reality and evil purposes (Jn. 8:44, Jn. 14:29-31, Jn. 16:11, Jn. 16:33, Jn. 17:15).
Therefore, Christian leaders in many levels and locations of ministry are advised to heed Wagner’s admonitions, form an intercessory team who will support them and win the battles mounted against them by Satanic forces. The cost is too great to ignore Wagner’s advice. As he says, “Go, and do it!” (p.191)!!
February 23, 2021
Encouraging and instructive
As someone who feels called to pray for others in the church it was very encouraging to read about how powerful and important prayer really is. We learn about the different ways those in ministry can get sidetracked or taken out. We learn what the battle looks like and the kinds of things we should be praying for. I plan to re-read the book more in depth and make notes.
As someone who feels called to pray for others in the church it was very encouraging to read about how powerful and important prayer really is. We learn about the different ways those in ministry can get sidetracked or taken out. We learn what the battle looks like and the kinds of things we should be praying for. I plan to re-read the book more in depth and make notes.
October 27, 2020
This book was okay. It was gifted to me so I was eager to learn from it. But it wasn't all that I expected it to be. I did come away with a greater sense of the power and need for prayer. However, I did feel that there seemed to be a sense of pride and some defensiveness seeping through the words on the page. A good read but not amazing.
March 29, 2015
Wagner, C. Peter. [I]Prayer Shield: How to Intercede for Pastors, Christian Leaders, and Others on the Spiritual Frontlines[/I]. Ventura, CA: Regal Books, 1992.
Overview: Wagner sets the need for intercessory prayer
Main points:
The Law of the Vital Few and the Trivial Many (39ff). This is also known as the 20/80 ratio. The “vital few” in prayer are the ones who have “the gift of intercession” (41). Wagner lists 27 gifts. To be fair, other scholars have made similar claims. Wagner also advances a rather more controversial claim: because none of the three lists of gifts (Romans 12, 1 Cor. 12; Eph. 4) are complete in themselves, they are open-ended. From this he adds to more gifts: deliverance and intercession.
[B]Good[/B]:
*Any book that gets us to pray more is to be appreciated. There are some helpful tips on how to deepen and lengthen your prayer sessions.
**As always, Wagner has some amazing anecdotal accounts about warring against the principalities and powers. While these aren’t on the level of Scripture, we see no reason to discount them. This reminds us that Paul’s admonitions against the “principalities and powers” are not just fuzzy verses for a quiet time, but can literally be life and death situations.
[B]Bad[/B]:
~Wagner is not really a deep theologian and it shows. He veers very close to open theism (he does affirm it in another book, but I don’t think he realizes what Open Theism is). What he calls Open Theism is actually Middle Knowledge. I think Middle Knowledge is an error, but it is not an error on the same level as open theism. The danger is that Wagner quotes a situation where God knows possible counter-factuals, and rather than exploring what this could mean in terms of exhaustive divine foreknowledge, he just moves on.
~~On a more practical level: Wagner is correct to warn against making “intercessor teams” or “x number of hours” a divine law (Wagner 190). I am not pointing out a mistake he makes, but rather highlighting the danger on making “good ideas” mandatory on people. Wagner’s practical advice on enriching prayer time is spot-on and is something I have incorporated in my own walk. It is under the category of “proven practical wisdom,” not divine law. As long as we keep it there we are safe.
~~~Ironically for someone who affirms that the gift of discerning the spirits is continuing today (as I do, cf. 1 Cor. 12:10), he shows remarkably little discernment in recommending different theologians (numerous references to Finney et al). I did find it interesting that Archie Parrish is one of his “prayer partners.” You might remember Parrish as R. C. Sproul’s co-author in Spirit of Revival. If we wanted to, we could play “7 degrees of Kevin Bacon” and connect Sproul with Wagner!
~~~~This isn't a theological problem but it's worth mentioning. While some of the anecdotes are quite exciting and edifying, it becomes overkill towards the end of the book.
[B]Conclusion[/B]:
It’s really easy read with some great recommendations on enriching prayer life and making us more cognizant of demonic warfare. Be careful, though, because Wagner doesn’t always draw a visibly hard line between “good ideas” and “you need to do this.”
Overview: Wagner sets the need for intercessory prayer
Main points:
The Law of the Vital Few and the Trivial Many (39ff). This is also known as the 20/80 ratio. The “vital few” in prayer are the ones who have “the gift of intercession” (41). Wagner lists 27 gifts. To be fair, other scholars have made similar claims. Wagner also advances a rather more controversial claim: because none of the three lists of gifts (Romans 12, 1 Cor. 12; Eph. 4) are complete in themselves, they are open-ended. From this he adds to more gifts: deliverance and intercession.
[B]Good[/B]:
*Any book that gets us to pray more is to be appreciated. There are some helpful tips on how to deepen and lengthen your prayer sessions.
**As always, Wagner has some amazing anecdotal accounts about warring against the principalities and powers. While these aren’t on the level of Scripture, we see no reason to discount them. This reminds us that Paul’s admonitions against the “principalities and powers” are not just fuzzy verses for a quiet time, but can literally be life and death situations.
[B]Bad[/B]:
~Wagner is not really a deep theologian and it shows. He veers very close to open theism (he does affirm it in another book, but I don’t think he realizes what Open Theism is). What he calls Open Theism is actually Middle Knowledge. I think Middle Knowledge is an error, but it is not an error on the same level as open theism. The danger is that Wagner quotes a situation where God knows possible counter-factuals, and rather than exploring what this could mean in terms of exhaustive divine foreknowledge, he just moves on.
~~On a more practical level: Wagner is correct to warn against making “intercessor teams” or “x number of hours” a divine law (Wagner 190). I am not pointing out a mistake he makes, but rather highlighting the danger on making “good ideas” mandatory on people. Wagner’s practical advice on enriching prayer time is spot-on and is something I have incorporated in my own walk. It is under the category of “proven practical wisdom,” not divine law. As long as we keep it there we are safe.
~~~Ironically for someone who affirms that the gift of discerning the spirits is continuing today (as I do, cf. 1 Cor. 12:10), he shows remarkably little discernment in recommending different theologians (numerous references to Finney et al). I did find it interesting that Archie Parrish is one of his “prayer partners.” You might remember Parrish as R. C. Sproul’s co-author in Spirit of Revival. If we wanted to, we could play “7 degrees of Kevin Bacon” and connect Sproul with Wagner!
~~~~This isn't a theological problem but it's worth mentioning. While some of the anecdotes are quite exciting and edifying, it becomes overkill towards the end of the book.
[B]Conclusion[/B]:
It’s really easy read with some great recommendations on enriching prayer life and making us more cognizant of demonic warfare. Be careful, though, because Wagner doesn’t always draw a visibly hard line between “good ideas” and “you need to do this.”
December 2, 2015
There is a newer version than this shows, but this book is amazing. I found myself stunned that he was saying exactly what God had shown me for years... finally. I am reading it again. In fact, I had my pastor read it as well and he was in total agreement from his standpoint... he NEEDS this... and more of us need to be this to our leaders. Fantastic, biblical and insightful book.
September 24, 2008
Membuka rahasia doa
June 6, 2012
This book served our church very well. I used this book along with one by John Maxwell as I led a group of Pastor's Prayer Partners in a large church.
March 2, 2013
wow, teaching about importance of praying for our leaders
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews