PRAY FOR POPULAR PASTORS
MEMORISE: Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones. Zechariah 13:7
READ: 2 Corinthians 1:11 -14
11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
13 For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end;
14 As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.
MESSAGE
Pastors are.considered popular when they have many people following them as they follow Jesus Christ. These followers can be called the pastors' sheep. The devil understands the principle in our memory verse for today, so these popular pastors are usually major targets for him. He knows that if he can get them to fall and even spoil their reputation, their sheep will scatter and he can begin to feast on them. This is why, instead of joining people to criticise popular Pastors, you should be praying for them. If you don't support what they are doing and you do not have direct access to them, talk to their employer (God) about it, rather than joining the devil to pull them down.
In 2 Samuel 11:3-4, when David sent for Bathsheba to have an illicit affair with her, she consented because he was the king. There was a huge gap between the king and her husband who was an ordinary soldier. It may surprise you to know that there are some women who consider it a privilege to have illicit affairs with Bishops, General Overseers, Apostles, Senior Pastors and so on. Yes, it is a sin, but the devil has blinded their hearts so much that they now see it as prestigious. That is why you need to pray for them. Don't assume that they don't need your prayers. In fact, the more their influence, the more prayers they need.
You should also pray for popular Pastors because every now and then, they step into dangerous territories to preach the gospel. Some of them travel through dangerous roads and go to volatile regions to share the gospel of Christ. Some of them also have to relate with the high and mighty in the society, so they need boldness to tell the truth without compromise.
With the boldness and wisdom needed to draw the high and mighty closer to God, imagine the impact it would have on their leadership and spheres of influence. Believe me honestly, when you pray for them, you are praying for the Body of Christ at large and God will bless you for it.
ACTION POINT
Commit to praying daily and diligently for pastors from today.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Leviticus 5-7
HYMN 22: SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER
1 Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
that calls me from a world of care,
and bids me at my Father's throne
make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
my soul has often found relief,
and oft escaped the tempter's snare
by thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
2 Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
the joys I feel, the bliss I share
of those whose anxious spirits burn
with strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place
where God my Savior shows his face,
and gladly take my station there,
and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
3 Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
thy wings shall my petition bear
to him whose truth and faithfulness
engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since he bids me seek his face,
believe his word, and trust his grace,
I'll cast on him my every care,
and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
