All my life, I have lived with a pastor. Some of you may be aware that I am a P.K., or pastor’s kid. My Dad was a pastor in the State of Ohio for over 40 years. What special memories I have of living in a pastor’s home! I used to thoroughly enjoy having missionaries and other guests in our home. Another highlight was having all my friends over to play while the parents would have their church meetings. I loved it! I went from being a child of a pastor to being the wife of a pastor. In both stages, I have been privileged to get a front row seat in a pastor’s home for my entire life. Most times it is an absolute joy to live in a ministry home. In a pastor’s home, you often have the opportunity of coming alongside people during their significant moments-decisions to follow Christ, graduations, weddings, births, and deaths.
I can assure you, though, that pastors are human, and as such, they need the prayer support of those of us around them. They carry a weight that, at times, can seem very heavy. Did you realize that our pastors will need to give an account for us? Hebrews 13:17 states, “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.” I have watched as a pastor agonizes over someone making a decision that goes against the Word. I have heard a pastor groan and watched him pace as he prays for those on his prayer list. But, I have also seen the joy when someone chooses to follow Christ, as many of us would have witnessed a short time ago during the baptism service.
The CrossWay body has recently chosen a new elder/pastor, Chad. And as he joins Martin and Steve, who continue to serve and lead us, these men need us, their congregation, to uphold them in prayer.
Some time ago, I started praying Scripture. As a busy mom and ministry wife, I was in a stage where I needed to multi-task. Every minute of the day seemed to be filled with a to-do list that never was quite finished. During this time, I purchased a book about praying Scripture for my children, and decided that, as I was beginning to use Scripture to pray for my children, it would also be a good idea to use it to pray for my husband, too. By praying Scripture, I was able to pray, but also review verses found in the Word. These are some verses that I have been praying for Steve, and, if you find them helpful, you could use them to pray for our pastors. There are many other verses to choose from also! Listed is one for each day of the week.
“May ____ love You with all his heart, and with all his soul and with all his strength.” - Deuteronomy 6:5
“Help ____ see you, God, as His refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” - Psalm 46:1
“Enable _____ to shepherd with integrity of heart and to lead with skillful hands.” - Psalm 78:72
“Please help ____ to be a shepherd after your heart, who leads with knowledge and understanding.” - Jeremiah 3:15
“Just as Paul, may ____ proclaim the kingdom of God and teach about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.” - Acts 28:31
“God, please help _____ live a life worthy of the calling he has received. Help him to be completely humble and gentle, patient, bearing with one another in love.” - Ephesians 4:1-2
“Help _____ to look carefully how he should walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time because the days are evil.” - Ephesians 5:15-16
When I started working on this, I reached out to my Dad and asked for his perspective. Right away, he mentioned that he thought it was important to pray for a pastor’s walk with the Lord and that he would also be an example to his family. To sum it up- we need to pray about his walk with God and his walk with others. This is the secret to being faithful pastors. Micah 6:8 sums this up so well, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Will you join me in praying for our pastors?
Blog by Becky Dye of CrossWay International Baptist Church.
Published on 27. April 2021 from Berlin, Germany.
Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash.