Years ago, while in recovery for a broken back, the State of California was offering to retrain me into a career field that I could do within my new limitations. An agent for the State dropped off a booklet of all the possibilities for training they offered. He instructed me to look it over and he was to return in two weeks to get my response and get things started.
Prior to this, I had struggled with the understanding and the accepting of God’s “call” upon my life for ministry. After a two-year struggle, I finally committed myself to this “call of God”, and shared this commitment with my church family.
Well, as I am looking through this booklet for job changes and training, it does not take long to notice that there is nothing related to ministry at all. I had made up my mind; I had made a commitment to the LORD so I put the book aside and waited for the return of the agent.
When the young man arrived, I got straight to the point. I asked him if there was a waiver or something I could sign to release the State of California from this training responsibility. He questioned my decision wondering why I could not find anything of interest in all that they had to offer. To that, I shared my testimony and my commitment to ministry, and that I had begun the process of applying to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas.
His response was to say that the State of California did not recognize ministry as a viable occupation. Then, he said, “Before you sign anything, let me go back and speak with my supervisor.”
A week later he returned with a bigger than usual grin on his face. His report to me was this: the State of California was going to pay for relocating my family to Texas, and pay for tuition and books while there. Our gracious God had granted to me His favor, by changing the mind of the State of California, at least this one time!
Now, why am I sharing this? I want you to realize the sense and feeling of the life of ministry being different and somewhat isolated from other work and life. Pastors, even in a large church setting, can often feel very alone. Do you show love and appreciation to your pastors? Do you pray for them often? Do you tell them they are in your prayers? Do you pray with your pastors?
Allow me to share a few prayer pointers in praying for these men of God:
(1) Praise God for Your Pastor’s Salvation, and God’s “Call” on His Life to Kingdom work! You need to thank God for the one He has chosen to be a teacher/encourager/helper to you and your church.
(2) Pray for His Protection and Power to Avoid Satan’s Traps! (“deliver them from evil”) The devil marks a person as soon as he gives his life to God for ministry. The devil targets the pastor that he might hinder, disrupt, tempt, and destroy. Pray for the protection and preservation of your pastor’s reputation for good!
(3) Pray for His Private Life! Pray that he would be a person always open to the leading and convicting of the Spirit of God, maintaining a repentant heart; that he might glory only in the Cross of Christ; that he is daily renewing his mind and spirit, by the Spirit; that he would always have a clear vision of Christ.
(4) Pray for His Personal Life! Pray about all concerns of family and health and provision. Pray particularly about the welfare of his wife and children. Peer pressure of children of pastors is often unbearable.
(5) Pray that He Will Maintain a Life of Praise! Pray that your pastor will remain strong in worship, both private and corporate.
(6) Pray for His Prayer Life! Pray that your pastor will discover and maintain a deep, intimate relationship with Jesus that is real and personal.
(7) Pray for His Life of Preaching, Teaching, and Evangelism! Pray that your pastor will be wise in the use of his time, and utilizing others in ministry duties to free him for prayer and study. Ask God to show you how you can be a help to take some burdens from your pastors struggle for time.
(8) Pray for His Persevering Life! Pray that he might. . . “Keep on keeping on!” “Keep the main thing, the main thing. And, the main thing is Jesus!”
In my Prayer Seminars, I often encourage praying for pastors by saying: “If you do not pray for your pastor, you deserve what you get!” There is much truth in that! Please, pray for these wonderful people!
