Priests Pray, Kings Conquer
August 30, 2010 by Matthew Gillogly
A few years back, I kept hearing stories of business men and women who had supernatural encounters with God. In turn, God showing them supernatural things of the business world. New business ideas, the right land to buy in real estate, inventions and more.
My heart longed for that kind of interaction with God. So, I started doing the things they were doing. At this same point in my life, there were a number of instances where ‘words’ were spoken over me and sent to me that confirmed the desires of my heart that I was to move billions for the kingdom.
I was psyched.
I started praying more, fasting more, I put a prayer room in my office, hired intercessors, tithed and gave more, prayed three times a day like Daniel. All in an effort to open the heavenlies and for God to pour out his blessing and abundance on me and my business.
The complete opposite happened. My business got worse, my bank account dried up, my wife and I ‘took a break from each other’, I fell behind on my mortgage, payments to my investors. To the point where I had to close my office, shut down my prayer room and let the intercessors go.
It was about this on a late Friday night, while I was attending a prayer meeting at Mahesh and Bonnie Chavdas church, that a piece of the puzzle was put into place for me. I didn’t realize it at the time, the revelation coming a few days ago, a full two years, after the fact.
While attending the church and minding my own business, I noticed this lady across the room. She kept staring at me. Everytime I looked up, she was staring at me. I’ve been around prophetic people who hear the Lord and know that look. This went on for about 45 minutes.
Then she started walking over to me and it was like the room was parting. I was kind of like ‘oh crap, here comes one of those prophetic people’ She came up to me and shared this with me;
“I’ve been watching you tonight and every time I looked over at you, I see this huge crown on your head. It is that of King. That’s not all, I see a scepter in your hand. The Lord wants you to know you are a King and like a King you can decree things and they will be.”
Then she laid hands on me and I went down. The rest of the night she had nothing else to say, no more eye contact. It was one of the weirdest experiences I’ve ever encountered. I’m used to these ‘words’ taking 15 minutes, this took less than one minute, if 30 seconds.
I didn’t realize it at the time, but God put something in me that night. I certainly didn’t feel like a King. Nothing I seemed to decree came to be law or true. In fact, things kind of drifted along.
This week, this piece of the puzzle came clearly into view for me. And it has to do with this debate or discussion of Kings and Priests.
I have to admit, all this talk of Kings and Priests seemed like psycho babble to me. Some of that complex religious stuff reserved for Theologians who had nothing better to do than come up with more complex stuff to keep us normal folks feeling like we didn’t really get ‘it’.
Then it hit me. A Priest can’t conquer. A Priest can only pray. Kings normally can’t pray, they have to go to the Priests. Kings can only conquer. Until King David.
He was the first one who knew he could pray and conquer. The veil was lifted, the access was granted to us all. (Only to be returned completely and forever to us, with Christs’ death on the cross.)
In my desire to hear the Lord more, to gain supernatural access, I abandoned my Kingly role. I stopped conquering and started looking to God to do all the conquering. That is called being lazy.
Let me show you how this is the case through David.
David was given a special anointing the same one that all of us in business who call Christ our savior possess. That is, one of Priest and King.
I’ll keep this simple for you. Remember, I’m not a theologian, I’ve never been to seminary, I know no Greek, I failed Latin and never took Hebrew. I’m just a business guy flailing away in the trenches of business just like you.
Remember this, Kings conquer, Priest pray.
David knew how to pray. This was developed in his time in the wilderness. It’s where he forged his deep relationship with the Lord. It didn’t happen in the palace with Saul.
Yet, David knew he was a King. After all, Samuel did anoint him. But he knew how to pray and spend time with Daddy.
David would slip between the two worlds, back and forth between the veil that he removed. He would pray, then he would ACT in a Kingly fashion.
Look Kings don’t walk around all meek. They conquer for gosh sakes. They rule, they aren’t mamby pampby, cause if they are, they get conquered. HELLO!
When David was given the okay to go into battle and conquer, he got his hands bloody. He stuck his sword in guys throats. He cut off heads, limbs and genitalia. He conquered land by vanquishing his enemies. Conquering in blood business.
In the fields of battle, when guy is cut open all his blood pours out, he loses control of his bowels, he pees himself. This flows onto the battle field. In the end the conquering party is standing in blood, crap and piss. Plus dead bodies.
Conquering is not always pretty. In fact, it’s usually messy.
Then David would rule as a King. He would decree new laws, set up new structures, assimilate the new people into his Kingdom. David decreed things and they were to be. No argument.
In today’s world. Kingdom business men and women don’t know how to rule and act as Kings. They act as priests. No offense, but priest for generations are not business people. They are priest for goodness sakes. It’s why churches aren’t run very well. They’re run by priests.
It’s why priests don’t know a thing about our troubles and tribulations of being in business. They can’t relate. They don’t understand, because they don’t know how to conquer. We do.
They don’t understand that business is messy. To conquer a market, is hard, troublesome, nasty work. But needed.
Hey if David doesn’t get the blood on his hands, then the temple isn’t built. David did the work. Some call it dirty, I call it noble.
I want each one of you who read this to understand you are a King. Your business is your Kingdom that you’ve been entrusted to use to take dominion and conquer new territories. Not to lay down and be all wishy washy, just ‘loving Jesus’, praying and fasting.
Look I LOVE the Lord. Make no mistake, He is my savior. Period. But he has entrusted me to conquer territory for His Kingdom through my business. To take the kingdom through the boardrooms, business halls and balance sheets.
I have supernatural connections. I know how to pray, seek the Lord and then go apply that by no fear of getting my hands dirty.
That is what it means to be a King.
Now where’s my scepter.
Matt,
So, we should slaughter our competitors much like David slaughtered his enemies? You don’t make any sense. Neither does churches run by priests.
- Leo
Matt, nice post; have been praying about this for some time…Ancillary question: any guidelines for giving/partnering with ministries in the area and elsewhere?
Thanks,
Blessings from Houston!
Kevin, I have not had any success in partnering with ministries. The reason is simple. We speak different languages. Business is about profit. Ministries are about non profit. You have two very different distinctive cultures that don’t seem to blend. It’s like trying to merge Mercedes with Chrysler in the 1990′s.. it doesn’t work. Or rarely does it.
I am of the belief that we as business owners can have a greater impact that the church in changing culture. By taking dominion over our area. This change will not happen within the church, it will happen in the business world first.
I belive Jesus has given us authority over all the power of the enemy, we need to use this authority for breakthroughs in the market place, have experienced this myself. We also need to pray a blessing on our competitors and be a witness in the market. eg Daniel
This post came at a time when I really needed it. I thank you and God for delivering it at just the right time.
Kevin,
As a christian business person you don’t need to “partner” with a church. Why? Because you ARE the church! You are the church to everyone your business comes into contact with. Of course, that requires that you think of the church as the body of Christ not church as a 501c3 organization or a group of people that meet in a building.
- Leo
So many businesses today do not glorify God in what they do and how they run.
We as business owners and entrepreneurs need to conquer business so God can get all the glory for what is done and he will bless those for his name sake.
Matt,
Thanks for posting this, it was awesome. Living life on this earth is messy, no matter what your position in the body of Christ. According to the scriptures, we are all called to be priest and kings; Adam & Eve were given dominion over this earth and lost it. Jesus won it back! We all have a different part to play and you are so right; many pastors don’t understand the businesspersons calling in the body of Christ. We are to conquer territory and finance the work of God. We aren’t supposed to be good little Christians, but men and women who believe the Book and act! To your article Amen. By the way, it not about being a scholar or knowing the languages God chose at different times; it’s about each one of us knowing and believing the book, that’s why God went through the trouble of preserving his inspired word and letting the printing press come into being. That way we all have his word! The everyday man and woman.
Yeah!!! Great post! I do believe however, that we can be both kings and priests at the same time. “And Thou hast made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.” (Rev 5:10) This is the same kingdom of priests that 1 Peter 2:9 tells us we are. I think it’s just ignorance of this things that has kept us stuck.
…. and a fight to the end it is. Leadership is never asked for, it is taken.
Delaine, I agree we are both Kings and Priests. I do believe it’s easier in our culture of American Christianity to move from King to Priest, than it is to move from Priest to King. I am not saying it should be that way, but our culture doesn’t get the transition is possible. It will be easier for the Kings (business people) to impact the church than the church to impact the business world.
Matt,
Is there any room for loving your “enemy”? What happens to competition in your “conquering”? What are the rules? It’s a very “spiritual” post but it lacks practical application.
- Leo
This is good stuff. Good perspective.
Matt,
You paint a picture of the priest being less effective than the king. I think I see your point but using king and priest comparatively does not make your point. This kind of talk does little more than justify prideful, ego-driven business men who feel guilty for being “lazy” to start acting more prideful through their acts of “conquering”. Just call it lazy, don’t compare them to priests. You would be doing us all a favor to study some theology so that you can present your arguments more convincingly in a scriptural context. Again I think I get what you are saying but you would serve us better by telling us how you acted like the priest in your family, loved your wife like Christ loved the church and got your life, marriage and business back on track through submission to Jesus and desire to show his redeeming love to the broken business community. Furthermore, your comments about the church are way off base. We are the bride of Christ. I repeat, WE are the bride of Christ. I am the bride before I am a businessman. We as a collective of the church will impact and change culture. Businessmen in business, educators in education etc. You have some great expressive language that would probably work at a mens retreat to get men fired up to “do something”. But what are we conquering again?
I too have struggled in business by ‘straddling’ the fence between only praying – or only conquering. I believe it comes down to being a ‘hearer and a doer’… Seek the Lord in prayer for strategies and His instructions, then DO them.
Thanks for this post Matt, I’ve been following your posts for a while and love them.
Keep up the good work.
- Tyson
Thanks Tyson.
Leo, I agree there is a lack of practical application. You can only say so much in a blog post. (I am working on one but it may be a while) In short, how I’ve come to terms with conquering is through watching Christians who are professional athletes. I have a friend of mine who played in the NFL as a Strong Safety for 8 years. Went to a pro bowl I believe… anyway… I asked him this question once and his response was this..
“Man, my calling is to stop guys from scoring. If some dumb wide receiver comes across the middle… my middle of the field, that I am paid to defend… I’m going to toe him up into the next century (toe him up translates into ‘knock the living you know what out him and make him wish he was never born.)
Then after he finds his mouth piece, I’ll help him back up.
Now that is taking dominion and being a King…
I’ve had this conversation with a number of my friends who are professional athletes, in the military and more. They all say essentially the same thing. They are called to do X they’ll do X and defend their territory and even take some if directed to.
Hope this helps.
Dennis, I get the submission to Jesus, but the problem is too many business people get confused. I am not suggesting you don’t submit to Jesus, but it’s a hard concept to confront in the business world.
I don’t think Priest are less effective than Kings. However, do know for a fact the US church is not equiped to coach business people. To go to my pastor for business advice is like going to my lawn guy for tax advice. He’s just not equipped, even though he does a wonderful job taking care of my yard.
Your attitude of a prideful, ego driven businessmen is flat wrong. Are you telling me, if I do a million dollar deal I’m prideful? Or if I bring in millions of dollars into the bottom line, land some financing for the company that I’m ego driven?
Your attitude and writing is exactly why businessmen and women don’t know what to do and act in the church. You know what, I’m not wired to go to theology classes. I’m wired to sit in boardrooms and love my competitor. I’m wired to land a deal, buy a company, start a company. Your approach and giving me an opinion on how I love my wife is really off base. You are in absolutely no place to judge me and my family and what we’ve been through. You have no idea the personal price I’ve paid in relationships, money and loss.
Frankly Dennis, it’s people who write things like you that make me want to stop being a christian and start just being a lover and follower of Jesus.
I pray you will learn to soften your heart.
In much love.
Matt
Why you used the words cr££ and pi££? arent they non christian terms? Its good what you say but you dont need to swear in your articles!
Matt –
Man, sorry I am just now getting to comment on this. I have read it through several times and also have just been letting what you said sink in a bit.
First, I want to say thanks for sharing your heart. There is nothing worse to me than the guy who is trying desperately to get everything “theologically sound” and all of the wording correct so that at the end his masterpiece is simply a mosaic of other men’s thoughts interspersed with his own. There will always be the guy who tells you to not share your heart until you “study some theology so that you can present your arguments more convincingly in a scriptural context.” Those are the men who have the body of Christ wrapped in shame and guilt and so confused about who they are because they never “get it right.” How dare they. These are the same people who Jesus dealt with in His day: the Pharisees. Keep sharing your heart. Even if it is messy, keep sharing. True love for the brotherhood looks past theological correctness to the heart of a man on a journey with our God and loves him along every step of the way. Remember, the man with an opinion is always at the mercy of the man with the experience.
Secondly, I have to say I love this post because I know the years behind every word. I believe I have been on this journey of the King and Priest with you since pretty much the beginning of when the ideas were introduced. I have seen you walk through some real hard stuff, always pursuing to love Jesus better. The western mindset was on both of us as we tried to figure out the right ways of doing everything. Wow, what a different day. Putting the “do’s and don’ts” list aside and learning to live from the Grace of Jesus Christ in the love of the Father. It is Jesus in Matt Gillogly shining through. Men will always view you through the lens of their vision. Jesus will always view you through His. Theirs is wrought with human error, judgement, shame and guilt. His with grace, love, mercy and hope. I have watched you move from the former into the latter. He (Jesus) is the King of kings (you and I). It has been an honor to share the journey with you man. Thanks for constantly encouraging me and standing by me when many others didn’t want to. Thanks for being willing to live it out in front of others.
The state we find ourselves in as a nation and as a church is in part due to the ridiculous mentality that we are simply Priests and not also Kings. Imagine if 4 or 5 generations back in each of our families they had this same mentality so prevalent today. There would be no today. There would be no America as we know it. Many of us would reside on other continents under horrible conditions. BUT, because they knew how to be the Priest of their home and the Kings of their communities and futures, we have the opportunities we have today. How dare us to forget the words of Patrick Henry, “Give me liberty or give me death.” Where are the renegades like this today? He was saying regardless of mess, things are going to change. Imagine the world rid of the Teddy Roosevelts and Winston Churchills and the Douglas McArthurs. Had they listened to the advice so eloquently waxed in today’s pulpits, they never would have prevailed to do the amazing exploits they did. Had they known this Western Christianity Jesus instead of the Jesus they were taught by parents and nannies, their destiny would have been cut short.
Let’s stop trying to one-up the guy next to us with our eloquence (which is really a mask) and start loving the dream of God in each other to the point of putting each other’s needs above our own. Time to start being praying and conquering.
Much love,
Adam
Adam – Dude, what an amazing comment. You too have gone through the fire, and you know I have too. That must mean Papa’s got something special in store for us. I’m so glad to hear you happy in AZ and loving God and loving people, and being a King down in the desert. You go man. Can’t wait to see you again. We still need to shoot some hoops!
Matt,
I didn’t mean to judge. I’m just a guy reading a blog post and giving my opinion based on my experience in the church and the business world as well. I’m a salesman who is striving to show Jesus to my competitors and my co-workers as well. Pride is something that I deal with as well, I’m not the kind of guy who makes million dollar deals (but would like to be). I have a heart for men who are lost without Jesus, I would not consider myself to have a hard heart but can see how that would be perceived reading my response. I also have a heart for men who are great leaders in their homes but failures at leading their families. That was me for many years until I got my priorities straight. and honestly I still suck at it most of the time. God, wife, kids, work etc. I did not mean to come across accusatory with you regarding your family. You’re right I don’t know you like these other men do and that makes my statements irrelevant. I do know that “my” biggest struggle is to lay down my life for Christ daily, love my wife as Christ loved the church, to love and lead my children to know Jesus. So accept my apology. I think I’ll keep reading and keep my comments to myself.
One more thought though, I’m not trying to hide behind my theology, I love theology, it give structure to my belief system and makes sense out of it all for me. I’m not mired in shame and guilt and certainly do not try to hide my faults from my brothers. I do “overthink” things and that is why I have a deep appreciation for the Kings that I rub shoulders with, we need each other. I need you to kick me in the a** and you need me to tell you maybe next time don’t kick me so hard with those pointy cowboy boots. Love you and appreciate your zeal.
Hi Matt
I for one fully agree with your article – personal witness.
Jesus Himself taught us in a parable of the Talents it is not the English ‘talent’ meaning ability / skill / capability / capacity] but the greek “talentos” meaning ‘money’ that Jesus is talking about in Matt 25: 15.
Jesus says that the persons receiving 5 and 2 talentos went and ‘traded’ [bought and sold - for a profit ofcourse] That’s business for you all.
Your post comes at a right time – I needed this very much. Thanks a lot
Vijay Kumar
Chennai, S. India.
excellent news,comes at an appropriate time for me.kings conquer in business and enjoy da spoils,God said ”i have given you the ability to create wealth”,not pray about it.so we create giants in industry and enlarge our kingdoms,but we give the ceremonial portion to the priests,it is the tithe.the 90 percent we keep,is blessed to overflow so that we do not have room enough to contain it…thax matt.charlotte south africa
Like Matt I believe we are called to both roles at different times – but I do believe that as far as the Kingdom is concerened we operate in primary roles whether it is to operate as Kings – seeing the city from that perspective and taking Dominion or as Priests operating in and manifesting the Glory – BOTH are neccessary for true wealth transference and city, regional and national transformation. Ezra needed Nehemiah as much as Nehemiah needed Ezra. One a priest and scribe and the other a markeplace leader. Until we honor and respect our unique and vastly different roles – collaborate and mutually submit we will see only a part of the whole that God wants to accomplish through us. Like you I am excited about digging into this more and more – I know that God has much He wants to entrust us with. Wisdom and insight. Thanks for allowing us to journey with you and your refreshing transparency. I spoke on this topic of priests and kings in halifax, nova scotia. to listen just go to: http://www.ncmcanada.org/podcasts/ncm/2010-08-04-ND-56kb.mp3
You are so right. Thanks for a great post, and for your support of the Christian business community. This information is greatly needed by Christian business owners and leaders.
We can’t expect to be powerful unless we know what God’s Word says and employ what it teaches.
Imagine how different this world would be if those of us in marketplace ministry acted like the kings we are called to be. Imagine…
Hmmm … can I say, “So proud of you!”?
Intriguing and excellently written and studied out, Matt. I also think of King Jehoshaphat. He ruled with a good blend of prayer, fasting and warring. But the key – he did what ever God said to do. He went to God for God’s battle plan. One of my favorite “stories” is recorded in 2 Chron 20. Such a great army came to destoy God’s kingdom over which Jehoshaphat ruled, that the ONLY way to victory was by God’s divine hand of deliverance.
Endowed already with Godly Wisdom, had King Jehoshaphat not recognized his need for a “fresh Word” and “new revelation” from God, God would not have been given the open door to rescue His people – while all they did was sing praises to Him!
Oh, He could still have rescued them, because God Is so … God!
But, it would have been at great cost and loss to this people. Instead, by humbling himself in the sight of all his people – who trusted him for wisdom and leadership – setting himself to seek God’s plan alongside of the people he “ruled” over, truly, this people opened the door for God to do His perfect will and receive the greatest glory. So great was the victory – in which the people of God never rasied a single sword – that it took 3 days to gather all the spoils!
Yes, Priests Pray, Kings Rule. But as you have diligently discerned, the greatest, most effective Kings rule in their prayer closets first, then take God’s battle plan to the battle field, and always keep straight just exactly “who” the real enemy is.
Likewise, the most effective Priests take the Wisdom God gives them in their Prayer closet and destroy the works of the enemy in the lives of their sheep, fighting the battle with the sword on the field of life. Cuz, let me tell ya’, I wage battle all day, every day. It’s messy, it’s hard and often, it is NOT fun! But demons are fleeing, strongholds are breaking and thousands of lives are being saved.
Indeed, we need one another. Without people like you, creating wealth to sow into ministry, such as the work I do, then women and babies die … Some will die any way, but my greatest heartache is for those who … never got through my door … they never heard that God has a plan for them, for life and not death, and it’s different and better than the plan they were ready to follow. THAT is strictly a money challenge – more room, more staff, more ultrasound machines.
Keep on being a Priestly King, Matt. I’ll continue being a Kingly Priest. Together, we’ll further the Kingdom of God and wage war on the battle field of life, in the trenches and the highways and the byways!
Hugs…
Matt, this is a great post. I think Jesus acted both roles of King and Priest well. He first prayed like a priest to the father in the garden of Gethsemane, and once he knew what was his Father’s will, he went out there and got the work done like a real king and conqueror. Talk about a messy job, even though it was his own blood. So even though he needed to pray he also had to go out there and do the dirty job with divine strength (taking all the sins of mankind upon himself).
Great job Matt. This article changed my perspective and erased my confusion about how to win as a Christian.