โYou will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with youโ (2 Chronicles 20:17).
A vast army was knocking on Jerusalemโs door. Instead of panicking, King Jehoshaphat gathered the people to fast and seek the Lord. He confessed: โWe do not know what to do, but our eyes are on youโ (2 Chronicles 20:12). Jahaziel prophesied, โThe battle is not yours but Godโsโฆ You will not have to fight.โ They needed only to take their positions, stand firm, and watch Godโs deliverance unfold. From Jehoshaphatโs crisis response, we discover four fundraising principles.
Pray Up
When Martin Luther had much to do, he would spend the first three hours in prayer. How important is prayer in your fundraising efforts? Do you spend more time planning or praying? Do you pray for your major donors by name? Do you pray that God will bless their families, their health, their businesses? Jehoshaphat invited all Israel to pray for their deliverance. You should invite your board, staff, and volunteers to pray for Godโs blessing on your fundraising efforts.
Suit Up
Israel was commanded to โtake up your positions; stand firm.โ Fundraising is spiritual warfare. Satan doesnโt want your ministry partners to give generously because he doesnโt want your ministry to succeed. He will oppose you in every way possible. Youโll schedule the meeting, and your donor will get called away on emergency business. Paul instructs us to โput on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devilโs schemesโ (Ephesians 6:11). Your shield of faith reminds you this isnโt about your effort but Godโs provision.
Show Up
โGo out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with youโ (2 Chronicles 20:17). Fundraising isnโt passive, ย itโs active. Youโve got to pick up the phone and call your donors. You might need to call fifteen times before you finally connect. Youโve got to go see your donors face-to-face and share your vision. Youโve got to listen to their hearts and learn what matters to them. Woody Allen said, โ80% of success is showing up.โ You cannot merely โphone it inโ you have to show up.
Look Up
God places you in situations that seem overwhelming so you will learn to rely on him. In this battle, Israel didnโt fight at all. They worshiped their way to victory. When youโve prayed up, suited up, and shown up, your job is to trust God for the outcome. Judah spent three days collecting abundant plunder. You canโt manufacture generosity. Only the Holy Spirit can move someoneโs heart to give sacrificially.
Think About This: Spirit-led fundraising is knowing when to listen and when to speak. Sometimes itโs asking for the gift. Sometimes itโs simply showing up to collect the check God has already prepared.
Response: Lord, help me faithfully pray for my donors. Give me courage to suit up spiritually before every meeting. Help me show up consistently, even when itโs hard. Remind me to look up, trusting you to fight my battles.



