Patrick Fore photo | Unsplash
By Dr. Mark A. Croston
People often see pastors as strong and confident, yet most of us haven’t seen anything like what the world is currently experiencing in our lifetimes.
In his work Lectures to My Students, Charles Spurgeon wrote:
As it is recorded that David, in the heat of battle, waxed faint, so may it be written of all the servants of the Lord.…Usually cheerful as we may be, we must at intervals be cast down. The strong are not always vigorous, the wise not always ready, the brave not always courageous, and the joyous not always happy. There may be here and there men of iron, …but surely the rust frets even these…
Please remember pastors in your prayers. Here are 10 ways to pray for your pastor during this COVID-19 season in human history.
1. Perspective
I’ve heard over and over people say about COVID-19, “This is the first time in history…” Well, it really isn’t. Just do your own search on “pandemics in history,” and you’ll see.
Pray your pastor keeps this crisis in its proper perspective. “Whatever is has already been…” (Ecclesiastes 3:15a)
2. Patience
It may take us a while to get through this. Twenty of the most significant pandemics in world history have each taken a year or two before they were past. This one may take time, but we’ll get past it.
Pray for patience. Romans 12:12 says, “Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.”
3. Peace
Isaiah 26:3 encourages, “You will keep the mind that is dependent on you in perfect peace, for it is trusting in you.”
Remember peace is not the absence of trouble, but confidence and calmness of body, mind, and spirit trusting in the power and grace of God.
Pray that God grant a peace like Philippians 4:7 that surpasses our ability to understand.
4. Paycheck
There are many people, families, and businesses under financial stress during this season.
If members are struggling financially, the church struggles financially and sometimes the pastor along with it.
Pray claiming the promise of Philippians 4:19: And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
5. Partner
The pastor is not alone. Whether good or bad, whatever affects him affects his wife as well.
Pray for your pastor’s spouse that she might be the kind of support, confidante, and companion needed during this time.
Pray that “Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the time to come” (Proverbs 31:25).
6. Posterity
Need I mention the pastor’s children?
Whether they are younger and missing school, older and missing work, or somewhere in between or maybe missing their health, the pastor can never do his best work for the community and the church while he is burdened by trying to meet the needs of his family.
7. Pastoral Skills
In times like this, a pastor must be both caring and daring. No seminary class has prepared us for this one.
We must think out of the box about the logistics of connecting with the congregation, caring for the sick, comforting the grieving, feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, and handling the online experience too.
Pray that your pastor will be more like a player-coach than a pretend Superman. There are minds in the congregation that can help him think, along with mouths, ears, hands, and feet that can help him act.
Paul said, “I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13), but he was not saying we had to do them all alone.
8. Physical Wellness
Needless to say, when we’re sick it’s more difficult to be a help to others. Pray for your pastor to find balance, rest, good food, and his own self care.
I’m often reminded that Paul, the great apostle, kept the physician Luke with him. I’m sure Dr. Luke did more than write the books of Luke and Acts. Maybe his main job was keeping Paul healthy.
Sometimes our role in the expansion of the kingdom of God is caring for the one who leads us in the advance—our pastor.
9. Parishioners
Pray for the members of the church. Pray they remember that God is in control and that we can “cast all your cares on him, because he cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7).
The pastor is always praying for the members of the church. If you would pray for them, you’re joining in your pastor’s work, which means when you’re praying for them, you’re indirectly praying for him.
10. Preaching
This time requires a whole new kind of preaching from our pastors: preaching to empty pews; preaching to cyber-followers who may have never heard a sermon before or even stepped foot in a church; preaching to new, greater, and ever-changing needs.
We need to hear a fresh word from God.
We need to be reminded there’s still a balm in Gilead and that God is our light in the time of darkness. We need to know God is still a waymaker, He’s still on the throne, and that He still has all power in His hands.
We need to be reminded that God has been our help in ages past and is still our hope for years to come.
Pray that your pastor would not be so busy doing everything others can do, that he does not have time to do what he’s called to do, “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 2:4a).
DR. MARK CROSTON (@MarkCroston07) is the national director for black church partnerships at LifeWay Christian Resources.
Thank you for the insight. I enjoyed reading the sermon. As the song writer stated,THANK YOU,LORD.I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU LORD.
Be blessed and peace.
This is wonderful thank you for sharing. Would love to know what version of the Bible you used for Isaiah 26:3. Love it!!!
That is from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB). https://read.csbible.com/?book=isaiah&chapter=26
Thanks for the insight that some may not realize. I will and have been praying for our pastor.
Thanks for this relevant word. I will disseminate it widely. Be blessed.
I needed to know specifics of how I can pray for our pastor. Thank you for the areas where prayer is needed and the scriptures to support them.
I believe that your comment is not accurate that this is not the first time in history that we have experienced a crisis like this . Yes we have had terrible pandemics in the past which killed thousands of people and other major disasters , but this is the first time in history that the world has been brought to a standstill by a crisis . Every nation has been affected , all governments has been left helpless to find a solution , the powerful leaders that rule with an iron fist have also been left at the mercy of this global crisis. In the past we would observe other parts of the world experience different catastrophes , wars affected whole continents but we have never seen in history a time when the entire world was shut down, where the powerful were helpless to stop it . This has affected the rich and poor alike , the strong and weak , the believers and non believers , every culture and colour . And we can’t dismiss it as just another crisis , this is a work of the Almighty God , He alone has the power to stop the world from turning , as He is our Creator . Why has He allowed this? Well we don’t know the mind of God , but if we are Christians who are not dependant on the world to provide our every need , who don’t look at our leaders as if they were gods , but see the changes taking place in the world around us , in the environment , in the increase in lawlessness in every part of the world , it wouldn’t be wrong to say that God has looked and seen the the state of His world , has seen mankind plunge into every form of depravity possible , and His own church on earth play to the tune of the world , it would be the only thing to expect a loving God to do . He has seen the world He created and gave us to care for being destroyed , He has seen us treat or brother and sister with indifference and cruelty , He has seen His church play the harlot to the world He has to step in before we destroy ourselves , because He loves us because He wants to give mankind a chance to repent and change their ways , He wants to give the church a chance to repent and change their ways before it is time to fulfil His plans for our future here on this earth . Thank you for your service in the ministry .
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