““11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”
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““And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues.””
““Then I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest. He will do whatever is in My heart and mind. And I will build for him an enduring house, and he will walk before My anointed one for all time.””
All the bible verses stated above is a testament to the fact that God is the one who has chosen the leadership of the church and given the different roles. All these roles are important, and none is bigger or lesser or more important than another. In some parts of the world or community thechurch has idolized some of these positions as if one is more important than the order. The main reason for these leadership roles is to teach, guide, and direct believers so that they can grow spiritual as they also uncover and use their own gifts for the wellbeing of the church. They are also responsible for spreading the Gospel, which has the transformative power to bring many to Christ. In preaching the gospel, the needs of the people are also being addressed. According to John 10:14-16 “14 I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” Just as Jesus is a good shepherd, the minsters are called to walk in the same shoes as Jesus Christ; laying their lives and going after the lost sheep to win them back into the church.
Prayer Points
Pray for the grace to help the ministers to be indeed good shepherds who are selfless, kind hearted, humble, willing to serve not out of compulsion but for the love of the father even as they serve and wait for the Chief Shepheard to reward them: 1 Peter 5:2-4 “2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”
Pray for the grace to always view and treat the church through the word of God-He purchased it with the blood of his son Jesus Christ: Acts 20:28 “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.”
Pray that ministers will stand like Apostle Paul to be reminded that the preaching of the Gospel of not dependent on their human skills or knowledge or display of talent as the bible says the wisdom of this world is foolishness.
Pray that the ministers will focus on the central theme- which is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ upon which the foundation of the church is based: 1 Corinthians 2:1-2 “1 And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
Pray that ministers will be ready to preach the true Gospel at all times; meaning they are also committed to waiting on God in the place of prayer and the study of the word so that they are properly equipped: 2 Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.”
Pray that the Lord Jesus who is the good shepherd will equipped the ones he has called to lead his church on earth so that they will walk in his will and achieve what they have been called to do: Hebrews 13:20-21”20 Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with every good thing to do His will. And may He accomplish in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Pray that the ministers of the gospel will humble themselves to know that the gospel is never about them, but the power of the Holy Spirt at work through them, therefore every glory belongs to God for every accomplishment. Romans 15:18-19 “18 I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed, 19 by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.”
Jesus’s emphasis to Peter here indicates his love for the church. Irrespective of where or who you are in the church, new believer, weak believer, backsliding, widows, orphans, elderly or strong, the ministers are call to take care of all and not selected groups. Pray that that their hearts will be filled with Love, the spirit of sensitivity, and discernment so that ministers will not neglect any particular group in the church as they guide, protect, and nurture the people: John 21:15-17 “15 When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus replied, “Feed My lambs.” 16 Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus told him, “Shepherd My sheep.” 17 Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.”
Pray that ministers of the Gospel will serve in integrity of the word of God, not to bring shame and disgrace in the house of the Lord: 2 Corinthians 4:2 “Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not practice deceit, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by open proclamation of the truth, we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.”
Pray that our ministers of the Gospel will have a compassionate heart toward the flock: Mathew 9:36 “When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
We live in the era of technology and arrogance. Many do not respect the office of the ministers of the Gospel anymore. They are bold to just go online and post whatever they dim fit and careless about spiritual consequence. Pray that the body of Christ will arise and repent from this kind of wickedness and witchcraft. Pray for humility, confidence, and submission of the church to our spiritual leaders: Hebrews 13:17 “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.”
Pray that God will raise intercessors to stand constantly in the gap for the ministers of the Gospel praying for their deliverance from any powers of unbelievers, praying that their preaching be acceptable by the listeners: Romans 15:30-31 “30 Now I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. 31 Pray that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there.”
Pray for the needs of the ministers-both physical and spiritual needs: Philippians 4:19 “ Andmy God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
Pray for protection from the enemy: 2 Thessalonians 3:3 “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.”