A Prayer for Faithful Shepherds - Your Nightly Prayer - October 10
Your Nightly Prayer
Audio By Carbonatix
By Lynette Kittle, Crosswalk.com
A Prayer for Faithful Shepherds
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
“Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you”--Hebrews 13:17
As a pastor’s daughter and pastor’s wife, I’ve experienced firsthand the reality of, and the difference it makes, when church members pray for their pastors and their families.
Seeing up close the struggles pastors may face in their private lives, balancing the needs of their church with the needs of their families, prayer helps to strengthen and enable them to serve God faithfully both in church and at home.
Jesus has called individuals to look after and shepherd His faithful followers, His sheep, and as John 21:17 reveals, it’s very important to Him.
“The third time, He said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love Me?’ Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ He said, ‘Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep.’”
No wonder then that Peter wrote in 1 Peter 5:2-3, “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”
As David reminds us in Psalm 23, the Lord is ultimately our Shepherd, and as our good Shepherd, He calls earthly shepherds to serve Him by caring for His sheep.
Jesus says in John 10:14-15, “I am the good shepherd; I know My sheep, and My sheep know Me—just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.”
Because He is the Good Shepherd, His heart is as Jeremiah 3:15 describes, “Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.”
The problem with sheep is that they are followers, and often, blind followers, not looking to see where they are being led. As Isaiah 53:6 describes, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”
Because sheep can so easily be led off-course and astray, is why they need a good shepherd, one who loves God and loves and cares for His sheep.
It’s why it’s so critical and vital that we pray for our pastors and their families, for God to strengthen and lead them as they lead His sheep.
As Jeremiah 23:4 describes, God’s heart is as follows: “’I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,’ declares the Lord.”
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Dear Father, thank You for the shepherds You have chosen to take care of us, Your sheep. For those You have called but are reluctant to step out in faith to follow Your voice, help them to surrender to Your will and calling in their lives. Strengthen and embolden them in their ministries, as well as our local pastors, and pastors around the world, to faithfully watch over, care for, and feed Your sheep. Lead them, Lord, as they lead us, to follow Your ways and teach us Your truth, so that we may faithfully follow and serve You with our whole hearts. In Jesus’ name, Amen
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
1. Are there areas where you see your pastors and families struggling? If so, ask God how to pray for them, rather than scrutinize or criticize them.
2. In what ways do you believe your prayers for your pastor could make a difference in his life, his family’s lives, and your church?
3. Does your church have a group praying regularly for your pastors? If not, consider forming a group within your church that will commit to praying for your pastors and their families.
Go Deeper: Overworked: How to Find Rest in Your Good Shepherd
When responsibilities pile up and the people and circumstances you care about feel dependent on you, it's easy to slip from faithful diligence into anxious striving. We work harder, plan further ahead, and try to control outcomes, often without realizing fear is driving our efforts. In this episode of Faith Over Fear, Jennifer Slattery talks with Bible teacher and bestselling author Dr. Tara Dew about the peace available to us when we remember who our Shepherd is and learn to entrust ourselves and those we love to His care. If this episode helps you face fear with God's confidence, follow Faith Over Fear on Apple or Spotify so you get new episodes every week!
Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: Unsplash/Ben White
Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.
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