Introduction: In our continuing study on “How to Treat One Another in the Family of God” we are delving into the subject of prayer. In Psalms 61:1-2 we read, "Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I."

 

 

There is nothing more important in the Christian life than the times of prayer. Likewise, there is nothing more important in our Christian service than prayer.

 

 

Perhaps the greatest privilege that one individual can do for another is to sincerely pray for him. In the last message we examined James 5:16, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

 

In this message from the word of God, I would like to challenge you to focus on “How to Pray for Your Pastor.” The text is found in Acts 6:1-7,

 

“And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. (2) Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. (3) Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. (4) But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. (5) And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: (6) Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. (7) And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.” Again notice verse 4 of the text, “But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.”

 

The early church found that the disciples were just too caught up in the physical work of the church. In their “business” they were neglecting the real work of the ministry. Therefore the early church was challenged to choose seven men to become what we now know as deacons.These men were to carry out the physical burdens of the ministry. This in turn allowed the disciples to give themselves to the ministry of PRAYER and the ministry of the WORD OF GOD.

 

As you read through the Book of Acts on the early church, you will discover that:

 

 

These early disciples saw the need of prayer, and the need to minister the Word of God if they were to be effective in their ministry of teaching and preaching the Word of God. Thedynamic results were evident as we see in Acts 6:7, “And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.”

 

This was God's plan for the church then, as it is now. The plan has not changed. If your pastor is to be effective among you, he must give himself to the ministry of prayer and to the study of the Word of God. In other words, he must be in touch with God before he can minister to the people of God.

 

In Acts 12 we find that Peter was in prison. However in verse 5 we read, "Prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him." The church prayed for the preacher back then. Certainly this time in which we now live is no different. I cannot help but wonder how much more effective and fruitful our pastors, missionaries, evangelists, and Christian schoolteachers might be if we took seriously our responsibility to pray for them. It is possible that there are some Christian leaders who might have been protected from the assault of the wicked one on their lives, marriages, and ministry, had they been adequately covered by our prayers.

 

Numerous New Testament passages highlight the importance of praying for those who have been called to gospel ministry, as well as those who bear spiritual responsibility for our lives. Over and over again, Paul wrote and appealed to the churches where he had ministered, “Brethren, pray for us…” I Thessalonians 5:25. The Apostle Paul felt the need of the prayers of God's people. He strongly hinted of this in his letters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have often made this comment to the leadership of the churches where God has given me the privilege to serve as Senior Pastor. "The only way I am going to succeed as Pastor of this church is by the sovereignty of God, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the prayers of the leadership and the congregation." I have a concern for the people of this church to develop a deep commitment to the ministry of prayer not just for the ministry as a whole, not just for one another, but also for your PASTOR.

 

In II Corinthians 11:16-33, the Apostle Paul gave us his testimony regarding the conflicts, problems and burdens he had been through. In verse 28 we read, "Besides those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches." Paul carried the burden for many churches and the care and concern of the people of those churches. Your pastor carries the burden of your church and the burden for the people of your church.

To your pastor you are not just some statistical number on the membership role. You are not just someone who comes and occupies a pew for the services and then walks out and you are forgotten until the next week. As your pastor, not only do I see you on Sunday or Wednesday, but also throughout the week I seek to walk with you. As your pastor, I am concerned for the fears, worries, burdens and the problems you have. Therefore:           

 

Charles Finney said, "To arouse one man or woman to the tremendous power of prayer for others is worth more than the combined activity of twenty average Christians." I believe we need more believers in the school of “knee-ology.”

 

I am eternally grateful for all a congregation can and will do for me as your pastor or for the work of the ministry. I deeply appreciate you. But the greatest thing you can do for me as your pastor is to PRAY FOR YOUR PASTOR.

 

Please notice again our text verse found in Acts 6:4. Let’s apply it to the congregation making it our motto, "We will give ourselves continually to prayer." Not everyone can be a pastor, or an evangelist, or a song leader, or a Sunday School teacher, or ministry leader. But there is one ministry that has plenty of openings. That is the ministry of prayer. Here are three questions to consider.

 

 

 

It has been well said, "A praying church creates an atmosphere most favorable to preaching." Prayer gives liberty to the preacher. A preacher ought to love to preach the Word of God. But his preaching will not be effective unless he prays, and unless you pray for him.

 

With all that said, here are EIGHT areas for which you can pray for your pastor.

 

Number 1: PRAY THAT YOUR PASTOR WILL BE A MAN OF PRAYER. Do you want to have a great pastor? Then pray that he will reach Heaven on his knees.

 

As we read in Matthew 7:7-8, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: (8) For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” The implication is if we ask when we pray, we receive. If we do not ask we do not receive.

 

Someone said, "Every man mighty for God was mighty in prayer." Remember, if God is going to do a work it is going to be done in His time, and in His power. If it is going to be done, it will be done in the power of prayer.

 

Number 2: PRAY THAT YOUR PASTOR WILL BE A MAN OF POWER. There are two things I pray for constantly.

 

 

As I come to church and even at times while I sit on the platform during the service, I am praying “Lord help me, Holy Spirit I need you. I need your power, please give me the power to preach the Eternal Word of God to these people.” Praise God! There is no shortage of His supernatural power. Jesus said in Matthew 28:18, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."

 

Continuing in our text of Acts 6, in verse 8 we read of one of the men chosen to assist the disciples, Stephen, who was “full of faith and power, (and) did great wonders and miracles among the people.” In verse 8 we read, “And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.” This is the kind of power your pastor needs in his ministry and preaching.

 

Wouldn't it be great to see the Power and Glory of God burst forth in this church because God’s people were praying for the power of God to fall upon the pastor and this ministry? As you consider praying for your pastor, may the words of this hymn challenge you to recognize the importance of an earnest prayer life.

 

 

Number 2: PRAY THAT YOUR PASTOR WILL BE A MAN OF PASSION. By passion I mean a man who has an intense feeling of emotion in his love for God, his love for the Word of God, and his love for the people of God. Pray he will be a tenderhearted man, and a man of compassion for the souls of man. As a pastor:

 

Pray your Pastor can have a heart of passion and compassion that will penetrate your hearts to get a burden to reach those mentioned above. Pray your pastor will have the heart of Psalm 126:5-6, "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing bringing his shares with him."

 

Number 4: PRAY THAT YOUR PASTOR WILL BE A MAN OF PERSISTENCE. In II Timothy 4:1-7, the Apostle Paul writes his last charge to his son in the faith, Timothy:

 

“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; (2) Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (4) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (5) But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. (6) For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. (7) I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” Again notice the words in verse 5, “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”  

 

In the face of problems and opposition, Paul is urging Timothy to “remain faithful and don’t quit!” This ought to be the prayer you have for your pastor.

 

 

Number 5: PRAY THAT YOUR PASTOR WILL BE A MAN OF PRINCIPLE. In I Timothy 6:11-12 Paul leaves another challenge to his son in the faith, Timothy: "But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called…”

 

 

Pray that your pastor will be willing to fight, not for preferences and prejudices, but for the PRINCIPLES of the Word of God.

 

Number 6: PRAY THAT YOUR PASTOR WILL BE A MAN OF PERCEPTION. Perception is good judgment, understanding, discernment, and wisdom. When you come to me for counsel, I want you to know that the wisdom I express has come from God.

 

Pray for discernment in his leadership of the church. Pray for discernment in the planning and the preparation of his messages. A pastor needs to hear from God, before he preaches to you. James reminds us in James 1:5 "If any man lack wisdom let him ask of God."

 

Number 7: PRAY THAT YOUR PASTOR WILL BE A MAN OF PATIENCE. Again in II Timothy 4:2 we read, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. In this passage the word “longsuffering” means “patience in reference to people.”

 

Number 8: PRAY THAT YOUR PASTOR WILL BE A MAN OF PREACHING. Again in II Timothy 4:2 we read, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” To a pastor, except for prayer, there is nothing like preaching. But without prayer, there is not much to preaching.

 

E.M. Bounds in his book "Power through Prayer" said, "What the church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Spirit can use, men mighty in prayers. The Holy Spirit does not flow through METHODS, but through MEN. He does not come on MACHINERY, but on men. He does not ANOINT plans, but men of prayer."

 

He goes on to say, "We must learn anew the worth of prayer, entering anew the school of prayer. There is nothing which takes more time to learn. And if we would learn the wondrous art of prayer we must not give a fragment here and there, "A little talk with Jesus", but we must demand and hold with iron grasp the best hours of the day for God in pray, or there will be no praying worth the name."

 

Would you make a commitment to pray for your pastor this week and every week, perhaps even daily remembering him in light of what Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:18-19, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (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, (20) For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” Then each and every time before your pastor stands to preach think of the words of the hymn “Brethren, We have met to worship” and pray for God’s power upon him as he preaches the Word of God.