Father, I would pray today for my family. You know each one of them by name and You know everything about them down to the most minute detail. You know their strengths and weaknesses. You know their hopes and dreams. Father, please be with them, draw each of them closer to Your side. May they find their strength and the answer to all of life’s questions in You. Amen.
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Do you pray for your pastor? I pray that you do. I would dare say that, though not perfect, most strive to be what God wants them to be as His children and are diligent about being faithful servants of His flock.
I have just a bit of experience in this area in that I am a pastor, my father was a pastor, my father and mother’s fathers were both pastors, and every one of my six aunts and uncles were either pastors or spouses of pastors. Oh, and two of my great-uncles were pastors, as well. What a blessed heritage!
Do you realize the sacrifices that are made by those of us called to serve the Lord? There are many things I could say but one of the biggest ones is what we give up – time with our families.
Last month was the first time in recent memory that we had the opportunity to go and spend more than just a day with my mom and dad. He retired from full-time ministry at the end of last year (at the age of 81!) Between his full-time work schedule and my part-time ministry responsibilities plus working a full-time job outside the church, getting together was, for the most part, limited to meeting halfway for lunch on a Sunday afternoon every few months and a holiday here and there.
Why? Pastors are connected in so many ways with the people of their churches. We are an important link between them and God. Yes, people can speak to God anytime they desire and realize that He never leaves their side but as pastors, God uses us to give voice to His love and hands to convey His compassion and arms to embrace the hurting and feet to travel where others will not but where we are compelled to do so in His service. We sacrifice…but would truly have it no other way.
My parents just left today. They were able to come down and spend several days in my home! We were blessed to have them with us and enjoyed a wonderful time of fellowship and conversation and food, too, of course! I am so grateful that God opened doors for me to change my full-time vocation so that I now have time to spend with them, as well.
Pray for your pastors – those who serve you now and those who have served you in the past. Most of us don’t get rich in pastoral ministry. Until recent years many lived in homes provided by churches – which benefited them greatly during that time but did not enable them to gain any equity by owning their own homes. Pastor, both active and retired, continue to rely on the Lord’s providence and love. God will surely answer your prayers for these, His faithful servants.
And now, a word to you who are elders [pastors] in the churches… As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor. 1 Peter 5:1-4 (NLT)
Aug 14th, 2019, Wed, 2:59 pm
