Second, Bible study can drift from being about his soul to being about his sermon. That his time in the Word will become more head than heart, more informational than transformational. Just as the epicenter of Jesus’ ministry was His daily time with His Father.Ī pastor faces two dangers here. The single most decisive factor in your pastor’s life and ministry is his personal Jesus-time. Pray for Your Pastor’s Daily Heart-Connect with Jesus So how can we pray for our pastor in appreciation this month? Based on the dedicated shepherds I have known, our intercession should focus on these seven areas: 1. Service is simply picking up the results.”

Gordon said, “Prayer strikes the winning blow. That difference is the prayer warrior on the hil l! That’s what you can be for your pastor.įor it is the prayer warrior who, more than any other person, determines the outcome of the battle. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at the difference between victory and defeat in the life of a leader. Later Moses explained, “hands were lifted up to the throne of the Lord” ( Exodus 17:10-16). The Bible reveals that “as long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.” Seeing that, Moses’ helpers “held his hands up.” Outcome: “So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army.” Moses lifted up his hands and began to pray-until his arms gave out. With the help of two assistants, Moses slowly made his way up a hill overlooking the battle. His young “intern,” Joshua, was leading the Israelites into battle against the brutal Amalekites. They are the “go-to” person for everything from someone’s personal crisis to a broken heart to a plumbing problem at the church.Ĭonsider the old man on the hill. They are often the difference-maker in some of life’s loneliest, most painful moments. They pay the price of being scrutinized and criticized, with each person measuring them by their personal pastoral expectations.Īnd they love their people, warts and all. They carry the weighty responsibility of being God’s appointed messenger to deliver His heart to His people. They bear the burdens of their “flock.” They are there, as one person said lightheartedly, “when we’re hatched, when we’re matched, and when we’re dispatched.” How about twelve pastor appreciation months each year! Sometimes it comes in the midst of too many pastor depreciation months. Why I Love the Idea of Pastor Appreciation Month Like us, they struggle with fear and worth with temptation and loneliness.Īnd they need prayer and encouragement. While they are, in God’s words, “shepherds of God’s flock” ( 1 Peter 5:2), they’re also subject to the same insecurities, passions, and discouragement we all are. Over the years of ministry, I’ve had the privilege of meeting, ministering to, and listening to many hundreds of pastors. Pastor Appreciation Day is the second Sunday of October and is a great day set aside to shower your pastor with extra blessings and words of encouragement. It's a time set aside to show thanks and honor to our pastors who serve us with their time and energy.

Pastor appreciation month meme