¹⁸ Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. ¹⁹ I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner.

Hebrews 13:18-19 (ESV)

Obey and Pray

Not only do we obey the spiritual leaders God has out over us (yesterday’s verse), we also need to diligently pray for them. They are as sinful and subject to temptation as any of us – yet even more. In their position of influence, the enemy probably works harder to get them to fall and cause their flock to be scattered. 

How many have “lost their faith” when their spiritual leader falls into gross sin? (The whole idea of mega-churches and idolized preachers is another topic). Nevertheless, the failure of a spiritual leader you trust and look to for teaching and care can have a serious impact on your faith. 

How to pray?

So what do we pray for? What are their needs? Desiringgod.org suggests using James 3:17 as a pattern, with 7 areas of focus. Here are a few ideas. Pray for:

• Their integrity – sexual, financial, teaching. Leaders are tempted as we are, and likely more.
• Wisdom – leaders need to make many decisions regarding the church direction, what to preach, how to counsel sheep that are in need, etc.
• Growing relationship with the Lord. They don’t have their Christianity “in the bag”. They have ups and downs in their relationship with Jesus just as we do. They need to grow in their knowledge of Him.
• Love – a leader without love is a sounding gong or clanging cymbal, hollow.
• Filling of the Holy Spirit – they (nor we) can walk the Christian life on our own strength. The Holy Spirit is the power we need to be successful and please God.
• Family – most leaders have families. The “health” of their families (relationships) will affect their ability to minister.
• Faith – without faith it’s impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6)
• Hope – may they be filled with hope placed in Jesus.
• Scripture. Pray scripture for them like Collossians 1:9-14. Memorize this to make it easier to pray at all times. Pray the verses and insert your leader’s name.
• Ask them how to pray for them!

Guilty as charged

I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t pray for my leaders enough. Paul encourages us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). In our continuous praying, remember our leaders.