Your Pastor Needs Your Prayers!

October is PASTOR APPRECIATION MONTH! Did you know that. . .

90% of pastors said the ministry was completely different than what they thought it would be like before they entered the ministry.
70% do not have someone they consider a close friend.
40% report serious conflict with a parishioner at least once a month.
33% confess having involved in inappropriate sexual behavior with someone in the church.
The profession of “Pastor” is near the bottom of a survey of the most-respected professions, just above “car salesman”.
Over 3,500 people a day left church last year.
Many denominations report an “empty pulpit crisis”. They cannot find ministers willing to fill the open positions.
4,000 new churches begin each year and 7,000 churches close.
50% of the minister starting out when that last 5 years.
80% of pastors and 84% of their spouses feel unqualified and discouraged in their role of pastors.

These statistics are hard to read but every believer should take a moment to acknowledge how difficult this job can be. I know pastors that have said, did, and dealt with every instance mentioned in the statistics. One of my childhood friends, currently a pastor, said “chasing sheep is a full time job.” He is completely right.

Your pastor watches for your souls but are you doing your part and watching out for him? Are you treating his wife and children right? Are you hindering or supporting the vision of the leader?

Is your pastor perfect? NO, that’s why he needs your prayers.
Will you agree with everything he says or does? NO, that’s why he needs your prayers
Will the church be negatively affected by division and discord within? YES, that’s why the ministry needs your prayers.
Will the members and surrounding community flourish due to the presence of a strong, fruitful church and leadership? YES, that’s why the ministry needs your prayers.

YOUR PASTOR NEEDS YOUR PRAYERS!!!

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. Hebrews 13:17‭-‬18 KJV

Be responsive to your pastoral leaders. Listen to their counsel. They are alert to the condition of your lives and work under the strict supervision of God. Contribute to the joy of their leadership, not its drudgery. Why would you want to make things harder for them? Pray for us. We have no doubts about what we’re doing or why, but it’s hard going and we need your prayers. All we care about is living well before God. Hebrews 13:17‭-‬18 The Message Bible

Obey your spiritual leaders and submit to them [continually recognizing their authority over you], for they are constantly keeping watch over your souls and guarding your spiritual welfare, as men who will have to render an account [of their trust]. [Do your part to] let them do this with gladness and not with sighing and groaning, for that would not be profitable to you [either]. Keep praying for us, for we are convinced that we have a good (clear) conscience, that we want to walk uprightly and live a noble life, acting honorably and in complete honesty in all things. Hebrews 13:17‭-‬18 AMPC

Make this week grand,

~Ta’Neisha K.

**Prayer calendar is available for download here via Proverbial Homemaker**

**All statistics from Pastoral Care Inc. website**

For more encouragement check out my video about the Power of Daddy.