The Prayers Of Pastors & Friends

A brief conversation over the weekend that didn't last more than a couple minutes, and a passing thought yesterday morning that didn't last more than a couple seconds. Together, they bring you today's #pray4pastor reading.

A pastor over the weekend reached out to me for just a moment, to say "thanks" for praying for pastors, referring to the daily work that goes into Bring Me 70.  I said no problem or you're welcome and in a matter of seconds it was over. However, a few hours later, I reached back out to that pastor... offering my thanks for his encouragement; not realizing his acknowledge of Bring Me 70 was something it turned out I needed that day.

He followed my thanks with this insight... "praying for pastor is not something that a lot of people do" (that's there not a predominant voice expressing the need - my paraphrase). Then he added, that as pastors, "it's not something we [they themselves] can call attention to."

Yes, there will be public moments that a congregation is asked to pray for a specific need for a pastor, something they are believing will happen for the church or the community; perhaps there is a physical situation or something that is (somewhat) public knowledge, that a pastor will ask for prayer.

By and large, though.... they won't stand at the pulpit and ask for prayer over situations that resemble what they hear about from parishioners. Kids that are away from God, marital strife, financial strain, pending health complications that doctors have yet to pinpoint, leadership decisions and challenges.

We go for prayer for all these matters and usually to our pastors.
Where do pastors go for all these matters of their own?

While you're thinking about that... I had this moment yesterday morning. While praying for a friend of mine, the words came out without my even thinking about them.

Lord, answer the prayers of my friend.

We ask God to answer our prayers and we pray for our friends, but how much more can we stand in agreement with our friends, than that God would hear, honor and answer their prayers? They may even be praying for you and you being willing to put your self on hold, so God can work in the life of prayers being offered elsewhere... who knows what God might accomplish?

What are your pastors praying for? While they are privately battling issues unknown, they more often than not, continue to set themselves and their own matters aside; to pray for those in their church, their ministry, the community... to be used by God in a greater capacity, beyond their own ability, to continue to carry out the work of the Lord. All while silently being distracted and frustrated from within, because few stand and know how to stand, in agreement with what they face.

Pray, this #associatePastorTuesday... first that God would forgive us, for putting ourselves and our prayers front and center; that we have not concerned ourselves more with the well-being of others and more importantly, the lives of our spiritual leaders. Pray, that God would hear and answer the prayers of our Pastors. For their vision, for their wisdom, for their hopes & dreams; for their fears and challenges. Pray for the battles they face at home... may the power of the Holy Spirit intervene and intercede on their behalf. Relationships restored. Finances will flourish. Emotions balanced. Wisdom received. Vision made clear. Joy fulfilled. Hearts made glad. Pray that church pastors and leaders will be strengthened and renewed to lead with clarity of purpose and a fresh anointing for the calling that has been placed upon their lives.

LET THERE BE LIFE!!!!  In churches and ministries that are drying up and burning out. Come quickly, we pray.

To God be all glory, honor and praise.

- PNC

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