Praying for Pastors
by Ralph I. Tilley
Too often we take the needs of our pastoral leaders for granted. If God's appointed shepherds are to minister faithfully and effectively, they must have the continual prayer support of God's people. The apostle Paul recognized his need of prayer. With characteristic sincerity and humility, he appeals to the Thessalonian believers, "Brothers, pray for us" (1 Thess. 5:25). If the saintly apostle needed the intercessions of the saints, surely your pastor needs your prayers as well.

Here are some suggestions as to how you might pray for your pastor:

Pray that your pastor will be continually filled with the Holy Spirit. He will not be able to do the work of God without the help of God. God wants him to live a life controlled by His Spirit.

Pray that your pastor will have a strong marriage and believing children. Recently a denominational official was heard to say, "The moral failures among our ministers are epidemic." Pray that your pastor and spouse will be loving, moral examples in their relationship, and that their children will not grow up to be embittered by the unfortunate realities of pastoral ministry.

Pray that your pastor will be kept from the allurements of love of money, sexual sin, and pride. These are three age-old snares the enemy has employed to ruin God's servants. Any one of these will prove fatal to a minister's integrity and fruitfulness.

Pray that your pastor will be kept from the “slough of despond.” Pastoral ministry is both rewarding and tough. Every genuine, God-called man wants to be effective in ministry. Too often fruit is not seen for labors done. Pray that your pastor will not lose heart but will keep encouraged in the Lord.

Pray that your pastor will be faithful in ministry–-faithful to Jesus Christ the Head of the Church, and faithful to the sheep which God has appointed him as undershepherd.

Pray that your pastor will be fruitful. God has called him to bring forth fruit. Pray that he will not fritter away his hours on lesser things, but gives himself fully and wholeheartedly to the work of God.

There is never any excuse for God's men to fail the grace of God. However, could it be if God's people built a wall of daily, fervent prayer around God's servants, there would be even fewer casualties in our pulpits?

"Brothers, pray for us."

– Soli Deo Gloria –