1 Thessalonians5:25 Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us.
PRAY FOR THEM ALWAYS (A)
I grew up in the house of a Pastor and I know that being in ministry and managing people is the hardest job especially as it involves giving account to God. Humans are the hardest to lead. If you think i'm exaggerating, ask Moses. Now, I'm also in the ministry. I have experienced situations where people expect me to pray for them even when I'm overwhelmed with my own challenges. I was on admission in the hospital years back, they set lines for me and I laid on the bed in my full length fighting to live. Right there, I received a call from a sister asking for prayers. I did because I had the strength to pray. It is my duty. Later, I told her that I was on admission when she called for prayers. She couldn't believe it. I expected her to ask about my welfare first but she didn't. That's how most of us treat our spiritual leaders. We always want to "use" them and if it seems they don't have our time, we get angry or even switch camp. Such attitude could be a sign of spiritual immaturity or disloyalty.
I have read through the new testament severally. I can't remember a place where believers begged their Pastors or spiritual leaders for prayers. What I found was a great man of God( Apostle Paul) asking the brethren to pray for him and those in the ministry. Yea, he prayed for some churches but he did that out of duty not because they requested to be prayed for. Ideally, every pastor prays for those he is leading on daily basis even to the point of mentioning their cases to God. We have a situation today where church folks want their pastors and spiritual leaders to be on their knees constantly for them yet, they are not willing to pray for their leaders.
Your pastor is not a super human being without challenges neither is that spiritual leader who has been a blessing to you free from the vicissitudes of life. You owe them a duty under God to pray for them daily. I don't mean once in a week but daily. Spiritual leaders often face challenges they hardly share with their followers except when it becomes visible to all. Don't blame them, it is part of their training not to share such so that you won't be discouraged. However, whether things are fine with them or not, make it a point of duty to pray for them. Don't wait till you hear that your spiritual leader is under attack before going on your knees. If church folks are faithfully praying daily for their spiritual leaders, we may not hear the kind of news we hear about some preachers today. If you're confused about the area of their lives in need of prayers, just pray for their spiritual life, their health, their spouses, children, their ministry and pray against forces working assiduously to bring them down in life and ministry.
If this daily devotional has been a blessing to your life, pray for the writer daily.