READ 1 Timothy 3
Spiritual leaders in the church must meet spiritual qualifications.

INSIGHT
The church is inherently a spiritual entity and must have spiritual leadership. While it is valid to have leaders who have knowledge and experience in many of the practical matters facing a church, practical leadership must be undergirded with spiritual maturity. A person who desires to be an overseer (elder) or a deacon should be a Christian with a strong track record of integrity and wisdom (see vv. 2-4, 7). These qualifications should be weighed carefully by all who aspire to lead in the church.

PRAYER
We praise Christ, the Head of the church:
For this reason I kneel before the Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. I pray that he may grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power in your inner being through his Spirit and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able   to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us — to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:14-16, 19-21).

Now pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?
Who may stand in his holy place?  
The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,  
Who has not appealed to what is false,  
And who has not sworn deceitfully
(Psalm 24:3-4).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Consider me and answer, Lord my God.
Restore brightness to my eyes;  
Otherwise, I will sleep in death.
But I have trusted in your faithful love;  
My heart will rejoice in your deliverance.  
I will sing to the Lord
Because he has treated me generously
(Psalm 13:3, 5-6).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• Peace and contentment
• Physical safety
• Your activities for the day

Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him, being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with gratitude (Colossians 2:6-7).