God has called certain people to lead his sheep. There are people graced to pastor
and cover the Lord’s church. It is so important that we pray for our pastors in this
endeavor. It’s so easy for us to see pastors and think because of the position they
hold, that they do not need prayer. There is a misconception that they know how to
do things that the average Christian does not, or that they do not have their own trials
and tribulations.
I would encourage you to remember that because of the calling on pastors’ lives,
they are even more vulnerable and susceptible to tests, temptation, and burn-out.
We, being the sheep, should always be interceding on behalf of our leadership and
covering them in prayer. We should be watchful for and with them.
“Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those
who labor in preaching and teaching.” (1 Timothy 5:17)
*by Britnee Bradsahw, ibelieve.com, 5 Vital Prayers for your Pastor
We all need prayer. We all need to pray.
Pastors specifically need prayer. The Enemy will do whatever he can to destroy the
ministry of your pastors. Will you consider praying for your pastors in these specific
areas?
- Pray for wisdom for your pastor. These leaders are often confronted with
incredibly challenging situations and decisions. They need God’s wisdom to
continue to be the leader of the church God has called them to be. - Pray for your pastor’s protection. Your pastor will be attacked in so many
different ways. Your pastor will be tempted again and again. The Enemy seeks
to destroy. The Enemy wants your pastor’s ministry destroyed. - Pray for your pastor’s family. They too are attacked, criticized, and sometimes
bullied. They often feel isolated and alone. They need encouragement. They
need prayer. - Pray for your pastor to withstand the critics and bullies. Some of the critics and
bullies are overt and aggressive. Others are passive aggressive. All are painful.
And every pastor has them. - Pray against discouragement from comparison. Before this week is over, a
church member will likely tell your pastor to listen to a podcast by another
pastor “to learn how to really preach” (actual words spoken to a pastor). Other
pastors will hear numerous comments about the other great church in the
community. The message is real and painful: You don’t measure up, pastor. - Pray against discouragement from members leaving. It’s hard for your pastor
not to take it personally. It’s really hard when the departing member tells your
pastor to take it personally. - Pray against discouragement from decline. Two out of three congregations in
North America are declining. That is a painful reality for your pastor. That is a
discouraging reality for your pastor. - Pray against discouragement from disunity. “I wish I had every minute back I
had to spend refereeing church members.” Those are the actual words of one of the Church Answers’ pastors I serve. The Enemy loves it when church members fight one another. - Pray for discernment for “yes” and “no.” Pastors are pulled in a multitude of
directions. They are expected to be in so many meetings, so many social
events, and so many pastoral situations. They are really expected to be
omnipresent. Pray they will be able to say “no” more often. Pray for their
families who often get the scanty leftovers of the pastor’s time. - Pray for financial pressures. Many pastors are underpaid. They struggle day
by day with financial challenges. Actual quote from a deacon: “I like for our
pastor to be underpaid. It keeps him humble and dependent on God.” That
deacon is enjoying a life of leisure from inherited wealth.
11.Pray for gospel opportunities. Pastors are energized when they have the
opportunity to share the gospel. Unfortunately, many of them are too busy to
take time to do so. The demands of the church are just too great. These pastors
live lives of inverted priorities and frustrating days. - Do we really want healthy churches? Do we really want to defeat the Enemy in these
battles? - Pray for your pastor.
- Start today. Take five minutes of each day to pray for your pastor.
It may be the greatest contribution you can make to your church.
*by Thom S. Rainer, churchanswers.com, Eleven Specific Ways to Pray for your Pastor