I rely heavily on the people I serve. I count on the faithful body of believers at Hickory Grove to pray for me and for the Lord’s blessings on our church as we seek to do His will.
Since I was in the seventh grade, all I have wanted to do is to “be a preacher.” Throughout middle school, high school, and on into college, I never wavered from that desire. My call to preach was clear then and has been ever since. I took my first church at the age of 23, having only been married 8 weeks. I didn’t know anything about being a pastor; all I knew was that God wanted me to preach, and so I started preaching and never looked back.
I have the greatest job in the world, but some days are better than others. Pastors are human; we need the Lord to get us through every day of ministry as we sow into broken lives around us and follow through on His command to make disciples while living the example we’re trying to set.
Here are some ways you can pray for your pastor.
— Family. I want to be the husband and father that God called me to be. My family is my first ministry, and they deserve my loving leadership. Pray also for my family, that they will honor Christ and that my sons will grow in their faith and love for the Lord and for His church.
— Personal Holiness. 19th century pastor Robert Murray M’Cheyne said “the greatest need my people have of me is my own personal holiness.” I believe that to be true.
— Love for the Sheep. If I am going to be an effective undershepherd, I need to have a Christ-centered love for the church. I want to live out 1 Peter 5 in a way that honors the Lord and His people.
— Focus on Doing God’s Will. “Never read your own press,” goes the old saying. For the pastor, compliments and flattery can become delusions of grandeur very quickly. Likewise, enduring long seasons of disparaging complaints breed discouragement and fear. I need to stay grounded in the Word and confident in the Lord’s leadership. Pray that He will light the way before me and not let me step off of it.
Let’s start with those. Will you pray for your pastor this week?
Doing it daily. And, will keep it up daily.
Will be praying for you daily!
Wishing I lived closer so I could attend HG regularly.
You need to know that the little girl that lives at my house (that SCREAMS at you each time she sees you and loves your red car) prays for you every day on the way to school. Our family IS praying. We will continue to pray and we know that the path that God has for you is one that He WILL HAVE to lead because of all that comes with such a calling.