This is the weekend… churches will be packed with people. People who only come a couple times a year to people who come every weekend. Churches are cleaning up the grounds, pastors are writing messages, people are inviting friends and family, worship leaders and musicians are picking the right songs, the creative people are putting the final details on the service, Easter meals are being cooked in homes… so much going on… let’s not miss that this week is all about the resurrected Messiah. In the middle of all the celebration of Easter, let’s not miss the main point… Jesus is alive!
I want to boldly ask you to pray for your pastor this week…. he or she needs you to partner with them in prayer these next few days before Easter.
Honest confession… I hate asking people to pray for me… it sounds self- serving and insensitive to other’s needs. But here is the truth–Paul the apostle modeled something for pastors… he asked the church to pray for him. I am asking that you pray for your pastor every week, but especially this week before Easter.
Read Ephesians 6:19-20 closely… Paul asked the church to pray for him very specifically.
19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Pray Ephesians 6:19-20 over your pastor this weekend. There are three prayers your pastor needs:
Prayer #1: “When he opens his mouth—words may be given to him”.
Paul asked the church, “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me…”
Powerful. Pray as your pastor stands to the pulpit this weekend… that God would give him words to speak, the wisdom to speak and the ability to discern what to say and what not to say. Pray God would give him the exact words that would connect with people far from God.
This is specifically important if your church has multiple services. Pray that every service, your pastor would speak words from God. Words that would connect with the people in that particular service.
Prayer #2: Your Pastor would preach “fearlessly”.
Paul asked the church twice to pray that he would preach fearlessly… “so that I will fearlessly make known”; “Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should”.
It is easy to get intimidated with the crowds and not want to offend someone. The gospel offends. Pray your pastor would boldly declare the resurrection of Jesus Christ–fearlessly.
Prayer #3: Your Pastor would preach the mystery of the gospel.
Paul said pray that “I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel”.
Pray your pastor would preach the gospel. Man is a sinner. We deserve the wrath of God. Jesus lived a sinless life. Jesus was crucified on our behalf. Jesus rose again. Jesus is not a way to heaven, HE is THE way.
There is a mystery to the gospel. People don’t understand the power of the gospel. Easter is the time to preach Jesus!
Paul looked at the church as “Partners in the gospel” (Phil 1; 3-6). IF YOU ARE A CHRIST FOLLOWER—you and your pastor are partners in God’s redemptive mission to this world. We work together to fulfill God’s redemptive activity in this world. One may plant, one may water… but God makes it grow. So many look at their pastor and church as a “consumer”… I come to church, I consume, I like it or I don’t… repent, my friend, of this deadly attitude. You are a partner with your pastor in the missional and redemptive heart of God.
There is no better way to partner with your pastor than by praying for him. But go one step further… let your pastor know you are praying for him. Send him an e-mail, post something on his Facebook or write him a card. Hand him the card after he preaches or send in it the mail. Let your pastor know you are praying… let him know what God did in your life or even better, the life of someone you invited.
