Pray for Your Pastor

Every once in a while, I read from Charles Spurgeon’s devotional, Morning and Evening. Tuesday morning’s devotional focused on one short verse -1 Thessalonians 5:25 “Brothers, pray for us.” Paul’s plea is simple, yet needs repeating. Let me share what Spurgeon noted in his devotional:

This one morning in the year we reserved to refresh the reader’s memory upon the subject of prayer for ministers. As officers in Christ’s army, we are the especial mark of the enmity of men and devils; they watch for our halting, and labor to take us by the heels. Miserable men are we if we miss the aid of your prayers, but happy are we if we live in your supplications.

(Charles H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, Condensed and edited by David Otis Fuller. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1948. p. 199)

Like Spurgeon notes, as your pastor, I desperately need your prayers. If you have seen the Prayer and Praises sheets we use on Wednesday nights, you will note that I always request your prayer for wisdom, direction, and discernment. I should also add prayers for protection, empowerment and encouragement for the work God has called me to. If I minister in my own power and ability, I am truly on dangerous ground. If, however, the Holy Spirit is empowering, guiding, and enabling me, I know I stand in Christ’s strength as His under-shepherd.

So, as your pastor, I urge you, once again, to pray for me —that I would be continually led and empowered by God, that He would accomplish His work in and through me, and that His wisdom would direct every aspect of ministry here at Dayton Center Church!
In His grip,
Pastor Decker