Author: Elton Streyle, Contributor: Noah, Photography and Editing: Ali

Heavenly Father, I come in Jesus’ Name during this pastor appreciation month to give You thanks for giving us pastors and Christian workers. It is a great blessing that You have chosen certain people to be equipped with special knowledge and understanding of Your Word, the Bible. Thank you for how You direct them to inform and train others in how to come into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and live an effective Christian life.

Direct those of us in the church to understand that the pastor of our church will be only as effective as the prayer that goes up for him.

You tell us in Your Word that personal knowledge of Jesus Christ is life-changing, and that the more we know Him the more we will be like Him. Therefore, I pray for my pastor Ephesians 1:17-18a. “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened…”

We are living in such a chaotic world, so the Gospel message that pastors have to share is so even more powerful, important, and necessary for the world to know. Even so, remind pastors that their family is still their first responsibility. Deuteronomy 6:6-7a ‘”And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children…”

Like Paul asked God in Ephesians 6:19, I ask for my pastor what is expressed in this verse. “And for me, that utterance be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel.”

Because of the spiritual warfare that comes along with their role, encourage pastors to daily put on the armor of God as stated in Ephesians 6:13-18.

In Jesus’ Name, thank you for allowing me to lift up my pastor to you. Amen.