Pray for your church leaders

7 Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.

17 Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.

18 Pray for us, for our conscience is clear and we want to live honorably in everything we do.

At the conclusion of the book of Hebrews, final instructions are given to the church; and the author asks the church to remember their leaders in prayer. This week I want to ask the same. I know you do pray for me and the pastors, elders, and leaders. I just thought it might be good to focus our thoughts and attention on the vital importance of praying for church leadership.

Why should I ask you to pray for me? Why should I ask you to pray for the elders, pastors and leaders?

Just look at the words in the above verses of scripture from Hebrews 13.

Leaders teach the Word of God.

What an awesome responsibility to handle the living Word of God with integrity. Do you pray for those who teach you the Word of God? Pray that your leaders come to the Word with an open heart and receptive mind. Pray that God will empower your leaders to not only understand the Word, but also to be able to communicate it in a way that is fresh, engaging and alive.

The Good that Comes from their Lives

The scripture presumes that good things come from the life of a church leader. Do you pray for your leaders that their very lives would be a conduit of blessings to others? Pray that the conversations they have today, contain the grace of our Lord. Pray that their goodness spills out of their lives at home. Pray that as they go about their work each day that the very goodness of the Only One Good would flow from their life work. "

Follow their Example of Faith

Earlier in the same letter (chapter 11), the Bible says "Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see." Your leaders are to set an example in how to live by faith. Your leaders are to live in such a way that the "things we cannot see" can be seen in their lives. They are to live in a way that inspires you to follow them. Pray that their example will inspire followers to a lifestyle of faith.

Obey your Spiritual Leaders and do what they say

Pray that your leaders will give not just "good advice" but God-given guidance. There is nothing more frustrating as a pastor/leader to give clear direction and only have it simply ignored or to have see the person deliberately go against the instruction. Pray that your leaders will not grow frustrated. Pray that people will embrace the direction given.

Their work is to watch over your souls

Have you ever felt responsible for someone else? Can you imagine what it feels like to watch over so many? It is a challenge to stay connected with all the church. There is a heaviness that comes with leadership. Every decision, every conversation, every encounter is related to the task of watching over souls. Pray that your leaders will be strong under the weight of this responsibility.

They will give an account to God

I am very aware that one day I will stand before God and give an account for the church that he entrusted to me. I am very aware, that every day I stand before God and give an account for the church he entrusted to me. Pray that your pastors/elders will not only give an account, but will be proven worthy with that account.

Give them reason to do this with joy not sorrow

Did you ever stop to think that how you live, how you respond to your leaders, that how you live your life, that how you live out your faith, that how you live out your marriage, that how you act as a parent, that how you live out a life of stewardship-that all of these things, give your leaders a cause for joy or sorrow? It is true. There is no heavier sorrow I have as   pastor, than some of those very things. But notice the "this". What does it mean, "give them reason to do THIS with joy"? What does "this" mean? It means give them reason to "GIVE ACCOUNT TO GOD" with joy. Whether or not your pastors/elders have joy in the account they give to God has to do with you.

Pray for us

It is such a simple appeal. The longer I serve as a pastor, the more I realize I need you! The author of Hebrews recognized that as well. The role of Pastor/Elder truly is a team sport. As you read through Paul's letter to the churches, you'll find that over and over he begged for the believers to pray for him. We need your prayers too.

Live Honorably

Pray that we truly would live with honor: lives that honor the Lord, lives that are worthy of you, lives that outsiders will regard with honor.

These are just a few of the reasons I ask you this week to pray for your pastors, elders and other church leaders.