[Please join me in praying for the Church on Sundays this year.]
“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8 NIV)
Although some may enter the ministry to fulfill family expectations, or for power, or for other reasons, most of the men and women in pastoral ministry that I’ve met became pastors because God called them to do so. Most have pursued some sort of formal education, and all have had “on the job training” as they sought to serve God and his people in their local churches. People in ministry have demands like no other occupation, but those demands can be stressing. Today, let’s pray for pastors and other leaders of local churches.
“Jacob thought he was marrying Rachel but he got stuck with Leah. He loved Rachel; he endured Leah. Yet Leah was fertile and produced many children, including Judah, the tribe that led to the birth of Jesus Christ.
“With Rachel, it was love at first sight. With Leah, he had to learn to love her. Your harvest will come from the least attractive things in your life, things you have to learn to love. Sunday is my Rachel. The week, at times, is my Leah. But actual growth happens during the week. Preaching is my Rachel. Fasting is my Leah. I don’t grow when I preach, but when I fast.
“Atlar calls are Rachels. Phone calls are Leahs.
“Sunday praise teams are Rachels. Rehearsals are Leahs. Sermons are Rachels. Home bible studies are Leahs.
“Eventually, you’re married to both. But you better learn how to love Leah because that’s where your multiplication is coming from. You’re spending all your time and effort to win Rachel, but in the end, Christ is coming through Leah.” -Jacob Rodriguez
God,
Thank you for the many men and women you have called to be spiritual leaders of your Church. Thank you for their giving of time, gifts, and love for your people. Thank you for the faithful shepherds who are genuinely trying to follow the calling of your Spirit, who are not in ministry for influence, power, or even money, but whose hearts are set on You. Weed out “shepherds” who are not leading their flocks according to your purposes and righteousness; eliminate those who are abusing your people. Bless these that find strength on you and set their hearts in your direction. Even when their lives and ministries wind through lonesome valleys, bring them to places brimming with cool and life-giving spiritual rain. Provide what they need in vision, comfort, strength, encouragement, finances, and other resources. Guard and guide their marriages and children-rearing to be totally in line with your purposes for their lives. Comfort those who grieve; bind up the wounds of those who have experienced “church hurt.” Guide those who are at crossroads in ministry; help them choose the path of greatest fruitfulness and peace for their souls. In the many “Leah” and “Rachel” activities of their vocations, give them a sense of deep vision and purpose, peace, and joy. Pour your Spirit into them so they can overflow with the fruit of that Spirit. Fill them with all joy and peace in their believing so that by the power of the Holy Spirit they overflow with HOPE in Jesus’s name. AMEN.
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10 NIV)
“And how blessed all those in whom you live, whose lives become roads you travel; They wind through lonesome valleys, come upon brooks, discover cool springs and pools brimming with rain! God-traveled, these roads curve up the mountain, and at the last turn—Zion! God in full view!” (Psalm 84:5 MSG)
“Blessed are those who find strength in you. Their hearts are on the road that leads to you.” (Psalm 84:5 GW)
“This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Jeremiah 6:16 NIV)
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13 ESV)