Do you pray for your pastor? In a book my husband and I just finished reading, it gave me a different aspect on how I look at pastors. I think if we spent one day in the life of our pastor we would pray for them more often and fervently than what we do.
This is just an example. A pastor was preparing for his sermon when he received a message to tend to a family that had been in an accident. The husband/dad didn't survive it. He did his best to comfort this grieving family at the hospital. Then he went back to the church where a member waited. He just found out his wife was having an affair. He consoled and comforted him. Finally time for his sermon. Nope! He received a phone call from a complaining church member. He listened patiently. Then he figured he should go ahead and read and reply to emails to get them out of the way. More complaints! Little encouragement. Still no time for his sermon. He went back to visit the grieving family one more time before arriving home late to his family. Finally time for him to grieve for the loss of the husband/dad that was his best friend before getting back to his sermon.
Today as I spoke to a pastor that is very special to me and my family. I could tell on the phone he had already had a long day. I'm sure dealing with a basket case was the last thing he wanted to deal with today. Me! He mentioned he had just had two long meetings back to back. It was later in the day, still things on his to do list I'm sure, a wife and girls at home anxious to see him, but he received a message to call me. He could have put it off until tomorrow, but he didn't. He called me. Selfless. This has been all year.
This was a year of many changes for me and my husband. I was hurting and there was no faking it to you make it here. We left a church family and a pastor we love very much seeking healing. Even at a new church, my previous pastor continued to walk beside me through these trials that continued before me. Shedding tears with me. Encouraging me with each hug and prayer. Meeting with me time after time. Listening patiently. Never judging. Compassionate. An example of what a true servant is to be. Christ like.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16 KJV)
So Shine. This is the yearly theme and verse that he has chosen for the church that he pastors. I couldn't think of a better verse. What an example he is on letting his light shine before men! When I was walking in darkness, his unconditional love was a light on my path to healing.
Words can't express how thankful we are to have this pastor as an example in our life. We love him and his family so very much!
So, what is the point of this? Remember we are many in a body of Christ, but our pastor is only one. They have a job that is 24/7 and demanding. They need our encouragement, our support, and most importantly they need our prayers. Pray for your pastor by name. Us. We pray for two.
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