“Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of
God and to the steadfastness of Christ.”
2 Thessalonians 3:1-5
Dear Christ Church Family,
I have recently begged of you that you would pray for your pastoral staff. I stand
before you now, begging that you will pray for your elders and deacons, both those long-established and those newly ordained. Pray for them and their families.
These men serve the church of Jesus Christ, not for their own gain or reputation. They serve in obedience to the call of God and out of love for Jesus and His bride. And lest any of us forget, we are the bride of Christ. So pray that through their ministry to and their love for the bride, the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored. In other words, pray that Jesus would be glorified through them.
Pray for their families. Their families are sacrificing through their service. There will be days and evenings when they will leave their family to come shepherd and serve you. Most of the time, you will never hear about this service. Most of the time you will never know the sacrifices they make. They don’t do it for the acclaim that comes from man. They do it to bring glory to Jesus, so pray for the Lord to sustain their families.
Pray for protection for these men in the spiritual realm. Their work is opposed because we have an enemy. The enemy prowls around like a roaring lion. He seeks to devour. At times his tactics take the form of wicked and evil men. At times, oftentimes, they are more subtle. They come through accusation, unanswered whisper, silent despair. Not all have faith, but the Lord is faithful, and He works through your prayers. So pray for spiritual protection.
Pray that they would be firmly rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray that they would be bold in their speech and actions. Pray that they would be gentle and meek in their speech and actions. And pray that the Lord would direct your hearts, and their hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. In this way, Lord willing and through their leadership, we will taste the joy of blessed unity and union in Christ Jesus.
Grace and Peace,
James