We encourage Christians to pray for their pastors. We pray that God will lead them as they lead the church. Most of the time, we think of God letting them lead the church to numerical growth rather than spiritual growth. Most of the time when we pray for pastors to lead the church to grow spiritually, we tend to forget to pray for their spiritual growth.
Some in the church have labeled pastors as "Super Christians" which the Bible knows nothing about. Pastors, elders, church staff, and deacons are just as human and frail as the Christian who works a 9 to 5 job. The Bible knows nothing of "Super Christians." No one, not even pastors, stops growing spiritually.
We also have the same tendency with missionaries. We pray that God will use them as they are in the field but we never pray for their spiritual growth. We love hearing about the work God is doing, but we never hear about the work God is doing in them. We never hear about the lessons God has taught them on the mission field. Missionaries are prone to wander just like the rest of us.
Those in ministry need to grow spiritually as those they serve. They need to read their Bibles like the rest of us. They are not immune from temptation and doubts. Those serving in ministry need to be lifted up in prayer but they also need to grow in their walk with Jesus.
As you pray for those in ministry, pray that their hearts are stirred towards Jesus. Pray they are continually reading and studying the Bible not for information but for transformation. Pray as they lead the church they will lead their families well. Pray they are seeking God through prayer and continuing to have communion with God through prayer. Pray they confess their sins and repent of them.
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