The work of gospel ministry can be draining. Too often pastors are prone to discouragement, letting the fire of affection for God burn low. "The greatness of the work; the strength of the opposition to it; its involvement in the fate of men's souls" (John Owen)--all of this can be overwhelming. Indeed, who is sufficient for these things?
One great way to help pastors, therefore, is to consistently pray and intercede for them before God’s throne of grace. If Paul needed prayer as an apostle, how much more the average pastor of a church today?
One striking feature of Paul’s letters is his consistent requests for the prayers of the saints. For example:
“Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me, that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints…” (Romans 15:30-21)
“…praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak” (Ephesians 6:18-20)
"...meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ..." (Colossians 4:3)
"...pray for us." (1 Thessalonians 5:23)
“Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you…” (2 Thessalonians 3:1)
Paul did not presume on God’s grace and equipping power. He sought it fervently, both in pray for himself and in requesting prayer from others.
Pastors need pray for spiritual zeal and fervency. There is peril in the consistency with which we approach spiritual things. We can grow “professional” in our approach to the church. We have temptations that beset us. Pride is insidious. We need prayer for the effectiveness of our speech as we preach the word to the congregation every week. Our marriages need prayer that they might be strong and blessed unions that last a lifetime. We need prayer as fathers that we might train our children correctly. We need prayer for strength to serve God sincerely.
My dear Christian brethren, based on Paul’s requests for prayer—pray for your pastors. "Ask then, again and again, that we may be earthen vessels into which the Lord may put the treasure of the gospel" (Charles Spurgeon). Ask God to stoke the fire of our affection that it might continuously burn bright, that we might carry out the mission given to us! Pray for "assistance, abilities, success, deliverance, and protections. As the temptations experienced by pastors increase, so must the prayers on their behalf" (John Owen).
Abounding Grace Radio