Day by Day Prayer for our Pastors
Posted on Fri Feb 15 2008
Brethren, pray for us.
(1 Thes 5:25 KJV)
“Let the thought sink deep into the heart of every church, that their minister will be such a minister as their prayers make him. … How perilous is the condition of that minister ...whose heart is not encouraged, whose hands are not strengthened, and who is not upheld by the prayers of his people! …
“It is at a fearful expense that ministers are ever allowed to enter the pulpit without being preceded, accompanied, and followed by the earnest prayers of the churches. It is no marvel that the pulpit is so powerless, and ministers so often disheartened when there are so few to hold up their hands. … When the churches cease to pray for ministers, ministers will no longer be a blessing to the churches.”
By: Gardiner Spring (1785-1873
There is no greater gift you can give your pastor and the spiritual leaders of our church than to pray for us faithfully each and every day. We cannot win the battle alone; we need committed intercessors, lifting us up in fervent, specific prayer. Imagine how the power of God might be released in our church if you were to pray us.
We face the same challenges that you do, with some additional ones! From our experiences, we have all seen where pastors and leaders can grow tired in ministry, be tempted to sin, and find it difficult to balance many roles and responsibilities. Therefore, as your Pastor, I ask for the encouragement and support of you all—the congregation of Bethlehem Baptist Church—to continue to pray for us daily.
Personally as your Pastor
Your prayers are crucial to my spiritual health, the spiritual health of my family, and our church as a whole. God always rewards efforts to cover the pastor in prayer and this is why I am asking you to do this for me. If you want to encourage us as a team, along with our mates, let us know you are praying for us. It won’t hurt to ask periodically for any specific prayer requests so that you can pray accordingly. Though I know that I have felt your love and feel your prayers, I am asking that we engage in a prayer vigil where you pray for me specifically on each day of the month in the various following ways:
Day 1
Pray that I will continue to love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Pray that God’s Spirit will work in my heart through his power and that I always value and follow biblical truths. (Deut. 6:5; Matt. 6:33)
Day 2
Pray that I might cultivate strong character and uncompromising integrity, and that my testimony will always be genuine and true. (1 Tim. 1:5, 3:7; Eph. 6:10-12)
Day 3
Pray for my personal walk with God and that my soul and spirit is nourished and strengthened in my quiet time with God, beyond my sermon preparation, for I know my strength comes from the Word of God alone. (Mark 1:35; 2 Tim. 2:15-16)
Day 4
Pray that I will counsel and teach with discernment through the wise use of scripture and faith in God’s power and for his protection from the effects of sinful or negative attitudes. I might encounter. (Mal. 2:7; James 1:5-6; John 17:15)
Day 5
Ask God to protect my marriage and keep it strong as a model of Christ’s relationship with the Church. (Eph. 5:23-33)
Day 6
Pray that God protects my wife as she engages in her day-to-day activities. Pray that her prayers and devotional live will be consistent, and that the Holy Spirit will keep her mind and her heart fixed on Jesus. (Heb. 12:15; Prov. 4:23)
Day 7
Pray for my children, as they encounter outside pressures and the pressures of ministry, that they never become discouraged or embittered. Pray that I provide the godly leadership in the home, not based on fear, but according to scriptural truths. (Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:20-21)
Day 8
Ask God to protect me from the evil plots of Satan and that I will not be corrupted as I rub shoulders with the world in the course of my ministry. (John 17:15; Is. 54:17; 2 Cor. 2:11; 1 Pet. 3:12; Ps. 9:9-10, 91:9-11)
Day 9
Pray that God will build a hedge of protection around my marriage, and that our family time is protected. (Ezek. 22:30a; 2 Cor. 10:4-5; Matt. 19:6)
Day 10
Pray that I use discernment in use of e-mails, the Internet, and the media, always asking God to guard my heart concerning the use of free time. Pray that I will be morally pure and that I wear the whole armor of God daily. (Rom. 13:14; 1Pet. 1:16; Eph. 6:10-18; 2 Cor. 10:4)
Day 11
Pray that God continues to fill my life and the life of my family with godly friends, providing the necessary and meaningful fellowship and times of rest. (Phil. 2:19-25)
Day 12
Pray that I will be humble and authentic in my faith, not given to pride or hypocrisy. Pray that I will have pure motives and give God the glory for every gain or victory. (Micah 6:8; Gal. 6:14; John 7:17-18; 1 Cor. 10:13)
Day 13
Pray that I will make wise lifestyle choices in order to protect my health, especially in the areas of exercise, eating moderately, and getting sufficient rest. Pray for times of relaxation and renewal to balance the stress of ministry. (Rom.12:1-2; 1Cor. 9:27, 10:13,6:19-20;James 3:1-2)
Day 14
Pray that I always focus on the Word of God and walk in the fear of the Lord—rather than the fear of man—as I prepare my messages. Pray that I will seek to please God rather than men, and pursue holiness rather than the praise of men. (Acts 6:4; Prov. 19:23; 2 Tim. 2:15; Heb. 11:6; 2 Tim. 4:1-2)
Day 15
Pray that daily I will make godly decisions and always lead with a shepherd’s heart, speaking the truth in love. (1 Kings3:9; 1 Pet. 5:2; Rom. 12:6-8; Jer. 3:15)
Day 16
Pray that I am courageous in the pulpit in proclaiming Christ, and confident in my use of the Word of God, always preaching with insight, transparency, and humility. (Col. 1:28, 4:3a; Eph. 6:19)
Day 17
Pray that I preach as a “Great Commission man”—committed to personal evangelism and the equipping of the saints to seek the lost, with a heart to develop a thriving missions program in our church. (Rom. 10:15; Matt. 28:19-20; Luke 19:10)
Day 18
Pray that I will always be a man of prayer and worship, knowing that it is important to lead by example—and teaching the congregation how to walk in a close relationship with the Father. (1Thess. 5:17; Acts 1:14a; Matt. 4:10; Mark 1:35; Luke 22:46)
Day 19
Pray that I use wise time management, and seek God’s perspective for my schedule, guarding my time against all unnecessary interruptions. (Eph. 5:15-16; Col. 4:5; Ps. 90:12; John 9:4)
Day 20
Pray for a fresh divine anointing on my ministry and that God’s working will be powerfully evident both in my own personal life and the spiritual life of my congregation. (1 Cor.9:27; 2 Tim. 1:7; Rom. 15:18-19a)
Day 21
Pray that I will not give in to discouragement, but will deal with inevitable criticism and conflict by committing myself and my ministry into the hands of God, who judges righteously. (1 Pet. 2:23)
Day 22
Pray that I practice servant leadership, edifying the congregation with wisdom and serving with God’s “agape” love. (Gal. 5:13b; Eph. 6:7; Luke 10:43b-45, 9:23-24;John 13:5-9; Phil. 2:3-4)
Day 23
Pray for spiritual unity among the church staff and the spiritual leadership of the church. Constantly pray that the enemy will not be allowed to create divisions, strife, or misunderstanding among the church leaders. (Rom. 14:19; 1 Cor. 12:25)
Day 24
Pray that God will give me a clear, biblical vision of what our church can be and should be for His glory, and that I might communicate that vision clearly and confidently to the church members. (Prov. 29:18; John 15:16, 17:17; 2 Tim. 3:5; Mal. 3:11)
Day 25
Pray that I will seek God for personal revival, and revival in our church and community. (2 Chron. 7:14; Ps. 69:32)
Day 26
Pray that I act and think biblically, with the mind of Christ. (1 Cor. 2:16; Col. 2:6-8; Eph. 4:17)
Day 27
Pray that I earnestly seek God’s will--committed to instant and complete obedience—and always ready for God to work powerfully in my life through his ministry. (2 Cor. 10:3-5; Luke 9:23-24)
Day 28
Pray that I will strive for personal excellence and believe God for all He wants to do in the congregation of Bethlehem Baptist Church. (2 Pet. 1:3; Col. 3:23-24)
Day 29
Pray that I will be a man of faith and passionate love for God, not giving in to worries, fears, or an uptight and anxious spirit. (1 John 4:18; Prov. 3:5-6)
Day 30
Ask God to provide for the financial needs of my family. Pray that I am a wise steward of both personal finances and church funds. (Phil. 4:19; Heb. 13:5; 1 Tim. 6:11; Ps. 37:25)
Day 31
Ask God to heal any hurts that I may suffer in the ministry, serving the Lord faithfully with gladness, and encouraging the congregation to worship God with a joyful, surrendered spirit. (Is. 61:1-3)
Sincerely, In Christ—
Lon Ostrzycki, Pastor
Romans 12:1-2
|
Discussion: Day by Day Prayer for our Pastors |
|
Lon,
I just want to let you know that I am praying for you and your family. I thank God that He led your family to BBC and that you are our Pastor. My family and I love you and your family dearly. I pray that God will continue to use you and bless you in all that you do. I also pray that God will continue to keep His hand upon your family and guide their every step as they too seek to do God's will and reach out and lead others to Christ. I love you and I pray you and your family have a very beautiful and loving Valentine's Day. Love ya.
|
Home 