This week a major cult group made their yearly rounds in our neighborhood. Though they don't know the Lord and their doctrine leads people astray, it struck me that they are at least very diligent to preach their gospel. I've read books about how those in satanism and witchcraft regularly pray (not to God) against ministers of the gospel and their families. I wonder if we can be diligent to pray for our leaders. Listen to this verse.Hebrews 13:7-19 NIV
17 Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.18 Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. 19 I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.
Some worry about this verse. We've all heard about misuse of power and authority...or about doctrinal error creeping in to the picture. Yet the truth here is evident. God desires that we know our leaders and have confidence in their calling and love. Even harder for some is the exhortation to submit to the authority of your Pastor. We want to do our own thing and we'd rather think of our Pastor simply as a friend rather than a person of authority. Yet God tells us through His word we should honor and be willing to obey our leaders in matters of the church. That doesn't mean we don't have a voice, but it does mean that we lay our pride down and submit even when we'd rather have our own way. Maybe we are asked to step down from ministry for awhile, maybe someone else gets the position in church we wanted, maybe we are asked to do a chore that we'd rather not have to do temporarily to help out in a time of need, maybe our suggestion is heard but not taken at the moment because the Pastor feels led of the Holy Spirit in a different way, maybe we are corrected in someway. I'm not talking about an abusive use of power or doctrinal error, but simply a willingness to yield to the authority God has placed. How we respond in these situations is key to our character development and shows our maturity. Do we get angry and grumble, do we gossip and declare that Pastor is not spiritual, or do we pray and yield?
Father, I pray for (LWF..Pastor John or place your Pastors Name here) and his wife (Sis Ruth or place your pastors wife's name here). I pray for my Pastor and his family. I know their are many pressures that come upon a pastors family. Give direction about what course to take and help him yield to the voice of the Holy Spirit in all things. Refresh his spirit and shake off the dust of discouragement. Bless financially so that he and his family can give their full attention to ministry. Draw him close to Your heart so He can hear Your voice clearly. Help me to make his job a joy as I yield to the Holy Spirit and also to my Pastor in areas where he is called to help me.
No comments:
Post a Comment