Pastor Ben McGraw of Crosspoint Fellowship in Greenville, Texas recently finished preaching through the book of Hebrews. As he neared the end of this four year journey, I was privileged to hear him preach on the following passage:

“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.  Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.   I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner.” –Hebrews 13:17-19

As the writer of Hebrews (most likely Barnabas IMHO) closed out his letter, he asked the church to pray for him. This verse (verse 18) and the message on it were great reminders of the need to pray for our pastors, youth ministers, etc.

So what, specifically, should you pray as you pray for your spiritual leaders? Pastor McGraw took us straight to Scripture for the answer to that question. Which is the best place to go at all times, but especially when you don’t know what to pray. Praying Scripture pretty much guarantees that you are praying prayers God wants to hear.

So check out these passages and commit to praying for your spiritual leaders.

Ephesians 6:18-19 – “ praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, ¹⁹  and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,”

Pray that your pastor will have God provided words as he proclaims the gospel. 

Colossians 4:2-4 – “ Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. ³  At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— ⁴  that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.”

Pray that there will be clarity in the message as your student minister teaches and preaches. 

2 Thessalonians 3:1 – “ Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored,   as happened among you,”

Pray that the messages your pastor preaches would be honored. 

That last one gives you a chance to be part of the answer to your own prayer. Honor the message your pastor preaches by listening, taking notes, and meditating on the truth throughout the week. You can start that today. What did you learn yesterday? How can you honor that message by being a doer of the Word this week?

Feel free to hit the comment button and let us know. We love hearing from you.