By Karen McBride
October is Pastor Appreciation Month, with a special day dedicated to honoring our pastors on October 13, 2024. Let’s remember to pray for our pastors regularly, as the Bible encourages us to do.
- Pray for your pastor to have wisdom when counseling others.
Colossian 4:5-6 ESV “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” - Pray for protection over your pastor.
Psalm 91:9–10 ESV “Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place the Most High, who is my refuge no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.” - Pray for your pastor to have discernment and knowledge.
Malachi 2:7 ESV “For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.” - Pray for your pastor to proclaim God’s glory and to honor the word of the Lord.
2 Thessalonians 3:1 ESV “Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.” - Pray for all people and all who are in high positions.
1 Timothy 2:1-4 “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” - Remember when Apostle Paul was establishing the first Christian churches, he wrote:
1 Timothy 5:17 ESV – “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.”
This month, consider ways you and your fellow church members can uplift your pastor! When a pastor experiences burnout, it can affect their effectiveness and the spiritual health of the congregation. Offer to assist with tasks to help free up their time, and don’t underestimate the power of encouraging words to lift their spirits during tough moments. Wishing you all a blessed month!