Part 13: THE HOW TO'S OF PRAYER MINISTRY

PRAY FOR YOUR PASTORS AND LEADER 

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At times, the Church of Jesus Christ forget that our pastors are people that also have needs.

Yes, it may be that some receive a weekly pay check. But for anyone that has been in full time ministry for any length of time, a pastors job is far beyond a typical 5 to 6 day week, 8 to 5. It is a 24 hour on call that demands wisdom, understanding, faith, patience, from the pastor's immediate family as they attend to the church affairs as well as the pastor's on-going training, education, church leadership, administration, financial responsibilities and the saints.

Pastor at times experience disappoints from those they love and can experience the weight when people leave the church then share their disapproval among others.

Pastors share the same pressures, difficulty in marriage, children, home to dos and sometimes the outside opinions of some that may only hold a one sided view. These along with other issues can become very mind wearing and physically draining. Added to scheduling and the occasional overwhelming problem solving of the saints.

So be kind, loving, considerate, compassionate and honoring toward your pastors and leaders.

Pray for them daily because they pray and care for your spiritual wellbeing.

Here are a list of prayer points, suggestions and remember to send your pastors a thank you encouragement to let them know you appreciate all they do.
That you love and are praying for them. They will appreciate your support more than you know.

** Here are some suggestions how to pray for your pastors and leaders. You may use this template if you wish in your local church to pass along to others within your church family so that all can pray.

A. Provide A List Of Church Pastors, Elders, Deacons, Leaders and Ministry in the Church.

B. If you are able, start a prayer letter for your church family that will encourage others to pray for your leaders.

C. Add articles that focus on the importance of prayer in the local church.

D. List Prayer Concern - A How List with Pray with Scriptures.

E. Declare The Word of God over your leaders.

F. Always Bless and do not voice negative discontent. But be uplifting affirming the gift they are and the work of the Holy Spirit

1 Peter 3:10
For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from speaking guile.

So Let's Pray,

- 1. Father we pray, for physical strength and spiritual protection for our pastors and leaders, their family, wives and children.

Psalms 31:20
You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

Numbers 6:24-26
24 “The Lord bless you and keep you;. 25 The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; 26 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

- 2. Father we pray, that they be free from outside negative influences that are contrary to your intent to bring abundance in all that pertains to your kingdom.

Philippians 2:5
Let this mind be in them as it was in Christ.

- 3. Father we pray, that our leaders will always be filled and lead by your Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 5:18
But rather be filled and with the Spirit.

- 4. Father we pray, that our leaders would always lead us by their example.

1 Peter 5:2-3 ESV
Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

- 5. Father we pray, that as the family of God, we follow their example as they follow Christ.

Hebrews 13:7 ESV
Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

Hebrews 13:17 ESV
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

- 6. Father we pray, that our pastors always be quickened by your Word.

2 Timothy 2:15
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman that has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

- 7. Father we pray, that our pastors always be motivated to Love when challenged by misunderstanding.

Philippians 1:9-11 KJV
And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; that you may approve things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

- 8. Father we pray, that our pastors would always abound in the Revelation of Christ so that as they teach, equip and disciple us, we may grow in faith and sound doctrine.

Ephesians 1:16
Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, 20 Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And has put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is His body, the fullness of Him that fills all in all.

- 9. Father we pray, that you quicken your church to always be mindful to show honor and respect in our conversation concerning our pastors both within and outside the church.

1 Thessalonians 5:12 ESV
We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you.

Romans 13:7b
Show honor to whom honor is due

- 10. Father we pray, that the power of the Holy Spirit would always be resident in the lives of our pastors and leaders.

Ephesians 6:19
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

- 11. Father we pray, that our pastors would always act with your wisdom and understanding, especially when tough choices must be made.

Colossians 4:5-6
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

- 12. Father we pray, that our pastors remain bold to speak the truth and full counsel of God.

Colossians 1:25 ESV
Of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known,

Ephesians 6:20
For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

- 13. Father we pray, that our pastors will always have an opportunity to rest and share private time with their family and loved ones.

1 Timothy 5:18
For the scripture says, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treads out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

- 14. Father we pray, that our pastors shall not lack any good thing that would restrain them from walking in the fullness of your call.

1 Timothy 5:17
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

- 15. Father we pray, that our pastors have adequate time to pray and seek after you in their times of prayer, preparation and the study of your Word.

Acts 6:6 ESV
But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

- 16. Father we pray, that our pastors, leaders and elders delegate well the work of ministry to trustworthy individuals that are wise and mature in the things of God.

1 Timothy 3:1-13 ESV
The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? ...

1 Timothy 3:6 ESV
He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.

1 Timothy 3:10 ESV
And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.

Acts 14:23 ESV
And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

2 Timothy 2:2 ESV
And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

Acts 6:6
Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

- 17. Father we pray, that our Pastors, Elders,.and Leader would always demonstrate Christ through their witness with power and demonstration, and the fruit of transformed lives, giving evidence that Jesus is truly alive and among your people

1 Peter 4:10-11 ESV
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

- 18. Father we pray, that our leaders would always be mindful to use restraint when dealing with difficult issues.

Titus 1:7 ESV
For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,

Ephesians 3:14
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant our pastor, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in his hearts by faith; that he, would be rooted and grounded in love,18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; (Who we are through Christ)19 And to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that our pastor might be filled with all the fullness of God.20 Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

- 19. Father we pray, that our Elders would be men example of Faith.

James 5:14 ESV
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord

- 20. Father we pray, for our Deacons, would be men and women of integrity, wisdom and full of the Spirit of God.

Acts 6:4-15 ESV
Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch.

- 21. Father we pray, that the Woman that teach and labor in the Church would be strong in faith, in sound doctrine, full of the Spirit of God, modeling to the younger women how to honor their husbands and teach their children well by their example.

1 Timothy 2:9-15 ESV
Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—

- 22. Father we pray, that our community of believers would grow in faith in the knowledge of you, always abounding in grace as we ascert who you created us to be, sons and daughters in your image and likeness.

1 Peter 4:10-11 ESV
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 4:1-32 ESV
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ..

Please continue to pray for our pastors throughout the week,

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Other scriptures of concern to pray and declare over our Pastors, Elders and Leaders and the Church Body.

- A. Father we pray, that our pastors would always teach the full Counsel of God.

Acts 20:27, NIV
For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.

- B. Father we pray, that as we grow as disciples, the church would always heed to sound teaching and doctrine so as not to be deceived but grow to become mature sons and daughters of God.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

1 Timothy 4:6 ESV
If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.

- C. Father we pray, that the church would grow into maturity in the things of God.

Hebrews 5:14 NIV
But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

- D. Father we pray, that the The Cross Heartland would represent Christ well.

1 Timothy 3:15 ESV
If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.

- E. Father we pray, that the Cross @ Heartland would come to full maturity to equip the saints.

Ephesians 4:12-13 ESV
to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

- F. Father we pray, for parents of children with our children ministry leaders would train up our children to know the Lord, and be mature in the things of God. To know the difference between what is good and what is evil, what is of God and what is not.

Romans 16:17 ESV
I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.

- G. Father we pray, that our pastors and leaders would always carry the heart of God to His people.

Jeremiah 3:15 ESV
And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding

- H. Father we pray, for those that aspire to become leaders in your Church.

Acts 20:28 ESV
Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

- I. Father we pray, that they will not only be skillful at their task but also upright and an example.

1 Timothy 3:1-17 ESV
The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? 17 That the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 4:2 ESV
Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

Titus 1:5-9 ESV
as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

All In Jesus Name

Blessing from David and Kathy Don Andrade