We Must Pray for Pastor Phil
As members of FBC, it is our responsibility to pray for our pastor. Paul emphatically says “Pray for us” (Heb. 13:18)! Oh Mighty Warrior, we need to pray for Phil!
To “pray” here means to go before God earnestly on behalf of. Please understand that this is a whole lot more th
an just “Father, please bless our pastor.”
We need to commit, right here and right now, that we will faithfully, sincerely and seriously pray for Phil. This is a command God has given. Let me give you a quick Greek lesson.
This verb to “pray” in this verse is written in the present tense, active voice, and imperative mood.
- The present tense simply means that the action being described (in this case going before God regularly and earnestly on behalf of Phil Byars) is taking place constantly. It’s happening right now, right now, right now, oh and don’t forget to pray for him right now too.
- The active voice means you are the one doing the action. You must not depend on someone else doing your job. It’s up to you to pray for Phil on a regular basis.
- The imperative mood means this is a command from heaven. God expects you to pray sincerely and seriously, daily for your pastor. Why? Because he is keeping watch over our soul.
You do want Phil to be in a right relationship with God, right? You do want him to understand what God’s Word says and what God’s will is, right? You do want him to be free from any sin that would hinder his ministry, right? Never assume that these things will automatically happen, simply because he’s the pastor. We must pray for him daily. Paul said, “You must help us by prayer” (2 Cor. 1:11). In 1 Thessalonians 5:25 and again in 2 Thessalonians 3:1 Paul urges, “Brethren, pray for us!”
Don’t know what to pray for? Here are some things that Phil is in need of:
- Pray that God would give him endurance and encouragement;
- Pray that God will be glorified in all Phil’s thoughts, words and actions;
- Ask God to fill him with joy and peace as he trusts in Him;
- Thank God for the grace He’s given to Phil;
- Ask God to keep Phil strong to the end;
- Ask God to strengthen Phil with His power;
- Ask God to comfort Phil in the troubles he will face personally and as our pastor;
- Pray that Phil will make wise decisions;
- Ask God to give Phil a Spirit of wisdom and revelation as he studies the Word;
- Pray that Phil will be always rooted and established in God’s love;
- Pray that he will be able to grasp how wide, long, high and deep God’s love is;
- Pray that he will be filled with the fullness of God and with the fruit of the Spirit;
- Pray that God’s peace will guard his heart and mind at all times;
- Ask God to fill him with the knowledge of His will;
- Pray that he lives a life worthy of the Lord and pleases God in every way;
- Pray that he and Robin grow in their personal walk with the Lord;
- Pray that he will know patience and joy;
- Pray for his purity;
- Ask God to strengthen his heart so that he’ll always be blameless and holy.
That’s only scratching the surface of what we should be faithfully and consistently praying for our pastor. And somehow we think that asking God to be with him and bless him is sufficient. That’s just plain ‘ol selfishness and laziness on our part.
