Holy Father,
As you sent Christ to be a Faithful Witness, give my pastor a heart and Christ's Spirit to also be a faithful witness of Your words, Your testimony and Your teaching. - John 8:28-29
Let his aim be to preach Your word faithfully as Christ did - and honor You. - - In season and out of season,
- When encouraged by hearers and without encouragement,
- In trying times and in prosperous times,
- With many witnesses or with few,
- Stengthen him to preach Your word... - 2Timothy 4:1-5
Let him know your pleasure with his faithfulness to your message, just as it pleased you that Christ was a Faithful Witness. - 2Peter 1:16-21
Keep him from the temptation to remove the hard truths from Your word in order to please people, and prevent him from shrinking back - we know this displeases you Father. - Hebrews 10:32-39
Guard him from the desire to build and be the head of his own church, and remind him that the testimony of Christ builds the church and that Christ is the head of the church. - Colossians 1:15-23
Guard him from the temptation to be more relevant to the people of the world with the precepts and methods of the world, rather than to be a shepherd to the people of Your fold, with the truth of Your word and faith in Your precepts. - 1John 2:15-17
Guard him from the temptation to think he is responsible for the results of preaching Your word, or from taking credit when the power of Your word changes hearts and minds and returns Your people to You, or is an offense to those who reject You. - Ephesians 2:13-22 , Hebrews 4:12-16
Let the congregation obey the word with all submissiveness to You, joyfully and without groaning as he faithfully shares it. - Hebrews 13:17
Let those who he serves for Your sake have the humility of Christ and serve one another joyfully and faithfully as lights shining in a dark place so that his efforts don't feel vain but make him glad. - Phillipans 2:1-18
When he is weak, strengthen him by Your grace and truth.
When he is tired, give him rest by Your grace and truth.
When he is discouraged, encourage him by Your grace and truth.
When he is tempted, protect him.
When he is unfaithful, discipline and teach him.
When he is faithful, draw near to him and shine Your grace on him.
Let the joy of bringing glory to You and the testimony of Your Son fill him in all things to serve Your people and to honor You. - Phillipians 4:12-13
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
