The truth is, this story could be repeated thousands of times over. It is safe to assume that the leadership of your church has and will face many unique challenges to their ministry. Will you commit to pray for your leaders? I hope the answer to this question is “yes” but I also know that many struggle with how to pray for church leaders. Scripture is replete with examples and encouragements to pray for those who minister the Word. This is especially pronounced in the ministry of the Apostle Paul. Against the backdrop of this ministry we learn how to pray for ministers of the gospel.
As Paul concludes the last chapters of his letter to the church at Rome, he says something that we should not easily pass over. In light of surmounting opposition in Judea, Paul petitions the Roman church, “strive together with me in your prayers” (Romans 15:30). In the context we learn that Paul wanted to partner with this church for his missionary journeys but he also knew that they could spiritually refresh his spirits. As he does here, Paul often attached the prayers of the people to the importance of his ministry of the Word (cf. Romans 15:30; 2 Thessalonians 2:1). There are at least three requests that Paul continually brings to the churches.
1. Pray that the Word is Received
Church leaders are called on to do many things but one thing they must do is teach the Word (1 Timothy 1:2; Titus 1:9). In the course of any given week this takes place over lunch, in counseling, at bedsides, and from pulpits. Pastors are not called to give opinions but to faithfully shepherd the flock of God as heralds of God’s Word (1 Peter 1:1). Notice how Paul calls the church at Ephesus to pray: “and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak” (Ephesians 6:19).
Though Paul’s apostolic ministry is markedly different from that of elders today, the bottom line is the same, “that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly.” Pray that your leaders will speak with boldness, clarity, conviction, and pastoral compassion from God’s Word. Also, that they would dispense this ministry as they “ought to speak.” The temptation to “tickle ears” is great so pastors must be diligent (2 Timothy 2:3). Pray that your church will receive the Word with obedience and joy (1 Thessalonians 1:13; Hebrews 13:17).
2. Pray that the Word is Clear
As already mentioned, ministry is often attended with great difficulty. In Paul’s case it was the constant threat of imprisonment, beatings, shipwreck, and fierce opposition to his preaching. Most people reading this will not have a pastor who has been imprisoned but for many around the world that is not the case. I have met pastors in Russia who have suffered greatly in times past because of their preaching. One does not need to be imprisoned, however, to know that ministers often face agonizing opposition. Through the trials of ministry Paul’s desire was that the Word would not be obscured by such momentary struggles.
“praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak” (Colossians 4:3).
In light of his chains, in the face of intense opposition, he asked the church members at Colossae to pray that the Word would be clear. Pray that your ministers will devote themselves to the Word and dispense it with clarity. Pray that their teaching will unfold the light of God’s Word in such a way that will instruct, exhort, and convict.
3. Pray that the Word is Fruitful
“Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you” (2 Thessalonians 2:1).
Bearing fruit is not necessarily the same as success, at least by any common standard. All pastors want to see fruit in their respective ministries. I’ve never met a pastor who wanted his church to die and become spiritually stagnant. The lasting measure of a fruitful ministry is not measured by how many show up on a given Sunday. Fruitfulness is seen in lives that have been transformed by the message they here (e.g., 1 Thessalonians 1:9). Pray, as Paul counsels, that the Word of the Lord will spread rapidly and that God will be glorified in the life of your congregation.
So What?
Today, I’m asking you to do something that maybe you have never considered doing. Pray for those who minister the Word to you day in and day out. Pray for their wives, children, holiness, diligence, compassion, and fortitude. Pray that they will labor long in the study of God’s Word so that your life can reap the benefits. Pray that they will speak with a clear passion and love for Christ. Pray that they will not burn out or worse, fall away. One writer says it this way, “Without prayer, the gospel can neither be preached effectively, promulgated faithfully, experienced in the heart, nor be practiced in the life. And for the very simple reason that by leaving prayer out of the catalogue of religious duties, we leave God out, and His work cannot progress without Him.”
I’m asking you on behalf of your pastor, “Will you pray for me?”
Article written by Pastor Paul Lamey
