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
Musings and My Two Cents 
That’s an amazing passage that still rings true especially today. I have a very deep desire for seeing the people of God truly become disciples. That’s the mandate truly embedded in my heart! Thanks so much for this message and the dialogue because it’s speaks to where the Lord’s leading me!
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Amen!
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Yes, I do agree that more prayer is needed for the pastors and preachers. In a comprising society, pastors will find themselves preaching a more favorable sermon than a convicting and life changing sermon to please the congregation, especially when he notices the numbers dwindling down. I pray that pastors and preachers be more concerned about saving souls than just sounding good.
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Amen, Ray! Thanks for reading! I believe they forget God sits high and is watching them.
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” But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them…Acts 2:14
This is the beginning of one of the most powerful sermons I’ve ever read. One of the reasons I love it is because of the response given after the sermon..” Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Acts 2:37
These words weren’t necessarily the result of intense study, but they were a direct result of intense prayers, supplication, and meditation in the upper room (Acts 1:12-14) and Peter being anointed and him preaching under the unction of the Holy Spirit! My prayer for preaching and for living life beyond the sermon and the walls of the church, is in much alignment with what you’ve shared so that people would say, “what must I do to be saved?”
Thanks for sharing!
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I think Peter’s intense study was being with Jesus. He had been with the Teacher, and learned from the Teacher, and yes, prayer in the Upper Room and filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. I love the book of Acts, seeing how Jesus’ disciples were bold beyond measure! Thanks for reading and providing your feedback!
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I firmly believe that too! My pleasure!!
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Since you posted this message the Lord reminded me of something that happened about ten years ago. While I was in meditation the Lord stirred a thought in my spirit and I simply said, Lord, I don’t want to preach without power…
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Amen! Yes, I am praying for you who are pastors, the sheep needs God’s uncompromised word delivered boldly and under the power of the Spirit.
Sadly, this is lost in some who’d rather entertain, tell jokes, do the moonwalk. Yes, that just happened this past Sunday at a church I visited. My heart was grieved.
I am blessed to be at a sound church with a plurality of elders who strive Sunday by Sunday to exposit the word verse by verse. But I pray for them too that they continue.
God bless you and your congregation.
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Amen! God’s working on this as we speak!!!
“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” says the Lord. 2 Therefore thus says the Lord God of Israel against the shepherds who feed My people: “You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings,” says the Lord. 3 “But I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. 4 I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking,” says the Lord….Jeremiah 23:1-4
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Amen! Amen! I know that scripture. I think I will add it at the end of my post.!
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AMEN! AMEN! I know that scripture! I think I will include it at the end of my post.
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