Devotion 10/16, Pray

My devotion for today is totally different, but something that is on my heart, that I feel called to share.
For the pastors and worship leaders of our churches, we should pray. They are no different than us with the conflicts and trials they have each day.
God has not called us to criticize or damage our pastors. He has called us to love them (1 Cor. 13:1-13), to be submissive to their leadership (Heb. 13:17), and to pray for them (1 Tim. 2:1-2). The Father has called our pastors, and has ordained them to be our shepherds (Acts 20:28).
Make a commitment to pray for them daily. Pray that your congregation will allow them to minister in a loving and caring environment. Your pastor’s ministry will only be as effective as the prayer that fuels it.
Pray blessing into the life of your pastors, our worship leaders and their families.

A few short prayers to include in your daily devotions:
Oh Lord, our Rock and Redeemer, may the words of our pastors and worship leaders mouths and the meditations of their hearts be pleasing in Your sight (Psa. 19:14).
May You, O Lord, give our pastors and worship leaders the desires of their hearts and make all of their plans succeed (Psa. 20:4) and be pleasing to you.
Lord, our God, may Your favor rest upon our pastors and worship leaders and establish the work of their hands (Psa. 90:17).
God of hope, may You fill our pastors and worship leaders with all joy and peace as they trust in You, so that they may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:13).

Lord, I give thanks to those that have dedicated themselves to you. Life gets hard sometimes and temptation, satan, can easily work His way into all our lives. Please help them and us to keep the focus in your house, on your Word and your Word only. For through your Holy Spirit, your Word comes to life, and the Truth is spoken. Your Word is perfect and if we deviate from your spoken Word, we are straying from you. Keep our hearts and minds on you and you alone. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

We never pray enough, so add a prayer of thanks, for our loved ones, for those dealing with personal trials. God is listening so why not add one more prayer each and every day. It’s one more time to think of someone else during these selfish times and to spend in conversation with our Lord, to be in communion with Him. Time well spent.

I pray that we speak the name of Jesus. Amen