“Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” I remember learning that famous quote in school. President John F. Kennedy said it during his inaugural address on January 20, 1961.
I think more people would be saved and ministered to if Christians had that same attitude today. “Ask not what your church can do for you, but what you can do for your church.”
Believers often look for ways to be blessed rather than ways to be a blessing. But real joy comes from putting others first instead of ourselves.
If we want to get the most out of our church, we can be a blessing by praying for our pastors and their families every day. We should pray that God would give them wisdom and keep them strong. Let’s ask the Lord to give them the right messages whenever they speak. And instead of talking about something we don’t agree with in our church, pray! Ask God how we can help them.
Petitioning God on behalf of our pastors will cause the anointing in the services to increase.
Pastors Are Only Human
Pastors are people too. They are human, and they’re not perfect. Sometimes ministers have bad days, just as we do. They don’t always do everything right. That’s why we should cut them some slack and pray for them.
Some people have the idea that ministers only pray, read their Bible, and study 24 hours a day. I will never forget the time someone called and asked, “Are you studying? Are you praying? Are you fasting today?”
“No,” I said. “I’m eating popcorn and watching Little House on the Prairie!” I couldn’t believe how shocked she was! She thought all I ever did was read my Bible and pray!
Our lives need to be balanced. The Lord wants us to pray, work, rest, and have time for recreation. We, including our pastors, need balance in every area. God wants everyone to enjoy their lives (1 Tim. 6:17)!
Pray Instead of Gossip
Sometimes when people see things that aren’t quite right in their church, they have a tendency to talk about it. Negative things may irritate them, and their concerns may even be legitimate. However, it is never our place to speak negatively or gossip about our pastor, church, or leadership.
The last thing we should want is to be used by the enemy to cause trouble or harm in church. We have all said things at times we wish we hadn’t. The best thing to do is ask for God’s forgiveness and never do it again. We should never let the devil draw us into the trap of gossiping about anyone in leadership.
In fact, we should run from those who spread rumors and cause division (Rom. 16:17). People who gossip and complain probably aren’t praying. The people who pray usually don’t talk about others or complain! When we get in God’s presence, He changes us. Petitioning God on behalf of our pastors will cause the anointing in the services to increase.
Pray the Word
It is important to pray God’s Word and His will—not our will—over our pastors. What we think needs to be changed may not be what needs changing at all. Here are some scriptural ways to intercede for them.
Pray for:
- Insight and Revelation—Ephesians 1:16–19
- Help in Preaching the Word—Ephesians 6:19; Colossians 4:3; Isaiah 10:27
- Blessing—Deuteronomy 28:1–8; Isaiah 1:19
- Divine Appointments—Psalm 37:23
- Every Need to Be Met—Philippians 4:19; 2 Corinthians 9:8
- Protection—Psalm 91:10–11; Isaiah 54:17
- Supernatural Wisdom and Holy Spirit Guidance—John 16:13; James 1:5; Colossians 1:9
There is power in prayer, unity, and working together! Our pastors can’t do it alone—they need our help!
Author
Kate McVeigh
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