Uncomfortable Conversations: From Praying to Preying

Gerald Gold
Jan 2
3 min read

When competition replaces compassion and ambition replaces humility, the Church suffers. It’s time to confront how preying has replaced praying in the Body of Christ.

Let’s talk about something uncomfortable — and far more common than many want to admit in the Body of Christ.

Instead of praying for one another, many believers — and leaders — have shifted into preying on one another.

Instead of celebrating the diversity of gifts God has given, we compare them. Instead of strengthening one another, we compete. Instead of serving side by side, we build platforms, brands, and followings.

And all of this happens while we claim to be building the Kingdom.

Here’s the hard truth:

The Church was never designed to compete — it was designed to function as one body, under one Head: Christ.

When Gifts Become Grounds for Rivalry

God never intended spiritual gifts to be weapons.

They were given to serve. They were given to edify. They were given to strengthen the Body.

Yet far too often, gifts become tools for comparison, jealousy, and control.

We see insecurity disguised as discernment. We see jealousy masked as “concern.” We see leaders using titles, gifting, and influence to lord over others rather than to wash feet.

Scripture is clear:

“For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” (Romans 12:4–5, NKJV)

Different function was always the design.

Competition was never the goal.

Building the Kingdom — or Building Personal Empires?

Some leaders no longer ask, “How do we build the Body of Christ?”

Instead, the questions quietly become:

How do I grow my church?
How do I increase my attendance?
How do I protect my platform?
How do I expand my influence?

All of it is done “for the Lord.”

And yet, something subtle — and dangerous — begins to happen.

Glory that belongs to God alone is slowly absorbed by men.

Jesus never called leaders to build empires.

He called them to make disciples.

“For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake.” (2 Corinthians 4:5, NKJV)

If the ministry collapses when the leader steps away, it was never Christ-centered — it was personality-centered.

Stewardship, Not Ownership

When God entrusts a leader with people, influence, or growth, it is stewardship — not ownership.

A true shepherd understands:

The people belong to Christ
The calling belongs to God
The fruit belongs to the Lord

Leaders were never meant to act as gatekeepers to God.

Not middlemen. Not the only conduit.

But guides.

Under-shepherds who point people to Christ, not to themselves.

“Shepherd the flock of God which is among you… nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” (1 Peter 5:2–3, NKJV)

From Praying to Preying

Perhaps the most grievous shift is this:

Instead of praying for one another, many are preying on one another.

Using people for numbers. Using gifting for clout. Using relationships for leverage.

All while cloaking ambition in spiritual language.

James gives a sober warning:

“Where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.” (James 3:16, NKJV)

Where there is constant rivalry, jealousy, and division, the Spirit of God is not leading — carnality is.

The Body Grows by Love, Not Competition

The Church does not grow through rivalry.

It grows through unity.

It is not strengthened by hierarchy.

It is strengthened by humility.

It does not thrive when one part exalts itself over the rest.

It thrives when every part does its share.

“From whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies… causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” (Ephesians 4:16, NKJV)