When I was growing up, do you want to know who I NEVER prayed for?—my coaches, teachers, Sunday School teachers or pastor.

It was an insane oversight. Granted, I was just a kid. But they had a huge impact on me. And as far as I can remember, I never prayed for them.

So today I’d like you to pray for your pastor and spiritual leaders.

1st Timothy 5:17 is a passage you don’t hear very much about—probably because pastors don’t want to seem high-handed. But here it is: “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.” And then in 2 Timothy 4:2, Paul encourages the young Timothy to “preach the word” both “in season and out of season.” Why? Because there is so much pressure to just say what people want to hear instead of what Scripture teaches.

In saying all this, my motives aren’t selfish—they’re biblical. There are real challenges out there, and in our society Satan is having a heyday.

So lift up your pastors, elders and teachers. If they are like me, they are flawed sinners who are summoned by God to glorify him, make disciples, and share his truth and love—both “in season and out of season”—in a time that is increasingly hostile to Christ.

So pray for your spiritual leaders. And just in case you need a bit of extra motivation, remember that they’re praying for you too.

By Matthew Ruttan

• This Sunday at Westminster is our Welcome Service & Free BBQ! If you’re close by, you’re invited! Here’s our webpage about it. I’m also excited to start a new series about Miracles which you can learn more about here!