That they would shake and tremble in their boots: yes, I pray that.

I want the men who come before God’s people to preach and teach the Bible, Old and New Testaments. I pray that they so fear God that they are careful to rightly divide the word before God’s people because they know that they are standing before the Almighty God who is a consuming fire.

I pray that they so fear God that they are compelled like Peter and John before the council, that they cannot help but speak the word of God when they were warned not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. They chose to obey God rather than man because they feared God.

Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:19b-20 ESV

I pray that they preach the word of God as Paul charges Timothy regardless of the climate, political winds, or culture. Many pulpits are filled with everything but the gospel that was once delivered to the saints.

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 2 Timothy 4:1-2 ESV

I pray that God gives them a voracious appetite and love for the word, that it be to them like it was for Job: “more than my necessary food.”  I pray that a great deal of their time would be poring over the scriptures, consulting commentaries, to ensure a right understanding so that they may exposit the word, verse by verse in context, to God’s people.

I pray that they love Jesus, the Author, and Finisher of our faith. I pray that they are looking to him, his example, his propitiation to satisfy the wrath of God.

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Hebrews 12:2 KJV

During his sermon on Romans 3:29-31, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones pressed upon the listeners the importance of working out the implications of biblical statements. He stated: “Every error, every heresy that has ever troubled the church is always the result of being governed by something other than the scripture.”

I pray that they have a great appreciation for church history by reading on those who maintained the faith and held to sound doctrines such as Polycarp, Augustine, Martin Luther, John Calvin and many more to help fuel their passion to preach rightly, and to understand the church’s periods of decline, and causes.

I pray that they do not live isolated lives. We all need someone to whom we should be accountable. I believe that it is important to have either one person, or a small group who prays for the pastor, and to whom he makes himself accountable.

I pray that their sermon preparation is not their only Bible study, but that they have a daily time with the Lord in prayer, and in his word, as a way to keep a close watch on themselves. (2 Timothy 4:16)

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV

I pray that they pray! I pray that their confidence is not in themselves but in the God who made them and gifted them to speak to his people. I pray that they put much time in sermon preparation that is bathed in prayer for the Spirit of God to empower them to preach boldly.

I pray that they pray for us that our hearts would be opened to hear and receive the word of exhortation, rebuke, correction, and training in righteousness.

Sure, they may very well stand before people who want another gospel, but I pray they don’t cave!

Woe be to the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD. Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD. Jeremiah 23:1-2