Robert Norris writes a great article for Tabletalk entitled “Praying for Church Leaders” that you can read HERE. These are sobering words reminding us of the truly spiritual battle that is ministry. Let’s pray for pastors, elders, deacons, and those in ministry leadership. Norris says in the article commenting on Paul’s words in Ephesians 6:19 (..and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, ESV):

[Paul] saw that the work of the Gospel is an essentially spiritual work. [He] knew nothing of being dependent upon technique or program to accomplish his work, and his appeal was for spiritual support because he knew that he was battling spiritual powers that were arrayed against Him and were hostile to God and His purpose. Today it is easy to be seduced by the secular mindset into dismissing the spiritual nature of Christian ministry and fail to see that there is a combating of dark and hostile spiritual forces that can be met only with humble dependence upon God, diligence in the study of His Word, and devotion to the Gospel of Christ.

It is the role of the church leader to keep watch over the souls of God’s people. And to be effective in this role, as in all the other aspects of ministry, he needs the prayers of God’s people.