At church, we often go up to our pastor and ask him to pray for us…
… but have you ever thought that our pastors need us to pray for them?
Praying for your pastor might not be at the top of your prayer list, but here’s why it’s so crucial to remember to lift up your pastor in prayer as often as you can.
He’s Under Attack
There’s nothing Satan loves more than taking down a Christian leader.
For those who put themselves out there to faithfully preach the Word of God, they become a public target.
Every word they say is scrutinized and can be taken out of context.
The secular world is just waiting for yet another pastor to stumble so they can point to how all Christians are “hypocrites.”
Spiritual warfare is real.
Those who are warriors for Christ do face attacks.
Pray for protection over your pastor, that he will fight whatever attacks may come his way with spiritual weapons and not the flesh.
He Faces Pressure
No matter how faithfully a pastor preaches the Word of God, he’s bound to face pressure.
Whether it’s internally by other church staff or from his congregation when he teaches on more “divisive” topics, there are often many people telling a pastor how he should preach.
Even society tries to change the narrative by seeking to lead pastors to adopt their sermons to fit current culture.
When a pastor stays true to the Word of God, he can never go wrong.
Pray God will give him strength to remain faithful in preaching God’s Word, as it was written, without seeking to please man or follow the latest cultural trend.
He Has A Massive Responsibility
God’s Word warns us not everyone should be teachers of the Word as they are held to a higher standard.
A pastor is responsible for shepherding His flock and it’s a huge responsibility.
Pray your pastor will do this well, as without God’s power, it is impossible to watch over the souls of so many.
And remember, God calls us to obey and submit to our leaders.
This includes your pastor too.
“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” Hebrews 13:17
He’s Just A Man
Sometimes we tend to assign pastors to a supernatural state of holiness, assuming they live perfect lives because they are a pastor.
And while they have spiritual depth and likely exuberate the fruits of the Spirit, remember, they are still human like the rest of us.
They have struggles, temptations, challenges, doubts.
Just because a person is a pastor doesn’t mean they don’t feel discouragement or go through tough times.
We must remember to pray for our pastors, that God will keep them strong to finish well.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” – John 3:16-17
(h/t Christian Life Daily)