Praying For Spiritual Leaders

 

Do you pray for your pastor regularly?
Do you pray for spiritual leaders?

Oh how we should be.
The battle they face daily is far heavier than we realize.

Isaiah was a spiritual leader who was called to serve people who’s hearts he would have to harden, and who’s eyes he would have to shut. (Isaiah 6:10)

Jeremiah was called to spiritually oversee and minister to people without expectation that they would listen, to a nation who refused to be taught, and to people who allowed truth to vanish from among them.  (Jeremiah 7:27-28)

And Ezekiel was a prophet called to the exiled people who were serving time already in a punishment they deserved, yet a place that broke God’s heart to see them there.   He was ordered to give his warnings to the people, “whether they listened or not” (Ezekiel 3:11) and was led by God into bitterness and turmoil for the sins he felt the people had committed against their faithful Father.  (3:14)

In fact, Ezekiel had such a strong assignment as the Watchman for the Lord, that God held him personally responsible for the disobedience of those he was called to if he failed to communicate the appropriate message to them.  (3:16-21)

It was a weighty responsibility.
And all three of these faith-filled, God-fearing men took seriously their call, and yet at the same time felt the burden the duty carried with it.

It has never been a more urgent time to pray for our pastors and those who are in ANY sort of spiritual leadership.

They carry with them every day the weight of responsibility for the people they are entrusted to.  

While the hearts of hearers are fickle… theirs must remain strong.
While the faithless stumble… they must remain steady.
While the doubtful fade… they must remain stable and certain.
All while hurting themselves.
All while often experiencing rejection and exclusion.

Ephesians 6:18-20, “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for Him, as I should.”

Colossians 4:3, 4, “Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.”

2 Thessalonians 3:1, “Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we ask you to pray for us. Pray that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes, just as when it came to you.”

Let’s be praying boldly and bravely for all of our leaders everywhere.

It really really matters!