Our pastors faithfully labor week after week, partnering with parents in the discipleship of our children, pointing little image bearers to set their hope on the living God (1 Tim. 4:10). In light of this, how can we encourage our children to pray for those who labor among us (1 Thess. 5:12) and keep watch over our souls (Heb. 13:17)? One powerful way is by teaching our children to pray God's Word back to Him, praying for our shepherds in ways that align with His will. Therefore, we have provided one of the "Prayer Tools" from the appendix of the Lord, Teach Us to Pray devotional as a pdf for you to access as a guide for your family's prayers for your pastor.
Our pastors need our prayers—not only for their own spiritual well-being but for the strength and vitality of the churches where our children are growing up. So, let us wield the Sword of God's Word as we lead our children in prayer—all for the glory of His name.
Excerpt from Lord, Teach Us to Pray Family Devotional appendix:
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
1 Thessalonians 5:11-13
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 Because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.Philippians 1:3-5
Pray for His Spiritual Growth
Love for God
As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?
Psalm 42:1-2
O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water...8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
Psalm 63:1, 8
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:14-19
Read more from the Prayer Tools in the appendix of the Lord, Teach Us to Pray family devotional here.
