A Call to Pray for Pastors and the Church
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A Call to Pray for Pastors and the Church
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Over the past few years, the Church has come under much scrutiny as its leaders have been exposed for sexual immorality and other sins. Recently, an entire denomination has come under fire for covering up decades of sexual abuse. Sadly, this does not appear to be coming to an end anytime soon. As I was praying over these things and pondering how to even share about them, I was reminded of a series of dreams I had. Though I will not disclose any names, I will share the heart of these dreams, so that we can be united in prayer about this.
Have you taken your place on the wall?
September 2019 Dream
I dreamed I was inside a large church. I saw a man of God preaching — a well-known man who had pioneered a revival. As he preached, I noticed that something was wrong. He began to tug on his collar, as if he were uncomfortable. Finally, he fell to his hands and knees. I stood up to see what had happened; it seemed that the congregation had no idea — they just laughed as if it were funny. This man’s face looked terrified as he crawled on his hands and knees like an animal.
The scene immediately switched, and I was now seated in the audience of a televangelist I recognized. As some of the televangelist’s staff members spoke together, they mocked the man of God who had fallen in the previous dream. They had stacks of money before them as they counted the offerings and stuffed envelopes. I saw very large checks. Rather than displaying gratitude, these people were complaining. The funds were plentiful, but they were not satisfied; instead they were plotting how to get more.
The scene switched again, and this time I saw some Christian worship leaders. They had considerable social-media influence but were using that influence in a way that did not glorify God. In secret, their lives were different from what they exhibited. But because they were leaders, their followers copied and imitated their behavior.
The Interpretation
Though men and women were highlighted, I believe these dreams are a rallying cry to prayer for pastors and the Church. In the first dream, the man of God on his hands and knees reminded me of the biblical account of Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar’s becoming like a wild animal (see Daniel 4:25–35).
“What did you see?” the Lord asked me. “Pride,” I answered.
I believe that the man of God represented the pride of the Church. This man was once at the head of a mighty move of God. The opposite of pride is humility. If we ever expect to see revival, a pride-filled Church will never be the vessel, because pride glorifies self. We are called to be a Church that is broken and fully dependent on Jesus Christ.
I believe this also serves as a reminder not to idolize the revivals of the past. The Azusa Street Revival was wonderful, but that was a move of God for then, not for today. We must never get stuck looking back at the past, even if what we are looking back upon is something good. What we need is a move of God for such a time as this!
With regard to the second dream, the Lord asked me: “What did you see?” I responded: “Greed.” Here again, I believe the Lord is showing us how we ought to pray. Yes, we are called to an abundant life, and yes, we are called to prosper — but we cannot serve two masters (see Matthew 6:24).
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs (1 Timothy 6:10 NIV).
Having money is not evil in and of itself, but loving money more than loving God surely is. The Scripture clearly states that greed, the lust for money, has caused many to leave the faith. We would be wise to heed the warnings God gives us.
Concerning the last dream, the Lord again asked me what I saw; I saw lasciviousness, but more than that, I saw an idolatry toward church leaders. Our leaders and pastors are men and women as imperfect as we are. Because they are people of influence, it’s natural that people want to be close to them and to emulate them. But then they are often elevated and treated as if they can do no wrong — like Jesus. To hold any human to that standard is to set them up for failure, because they are not Jesus. Your pastor does not want your worship; your pastor wants you to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth.
When I woke up, I felt overwhelmed. I was grieved for weeks. I sought God’s interpretation of what I had seen. As an intercessor, I have never shared the names of the individuals I saw in those dreams. Instead, I went to the Lord in prayer for each leader. As far as I know, they are still running the race for Jesus today.
Pray for Your Pastors
Pastors carry a load that many of us never will. They are responsible to God for the sheep they oversee. They have a greater responsibility, and the Lord holds them to a higher standard. This is why they are so often the targets of Satan. Jesus said this to His disciples, speaking prophetically about how they would respond when he was arrested and handed over: “ … I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered” (Matthew 26:31 NIV).
This is still true today. What happens to the shepherds (pastors) can scatter the flock (the Church).
When a pastor or leader falls away from God or is publicly exposed in some sin, the church is affected. When a pastor is involved in any form of moral or ethical compromise, the church is affected. When a pastor comes under direct attack, the church is affected. This is exactly what Satan wants: He wants weak, compromised pastors and Christians; He wants a divided Church.
I wrote this article with a mind toward all the exposure we have seen in this nation over the past several years. The exposures have been national, and even global, but we must humbly remember that judgment begins in the house of God. If God wants to expose evil on any level, that means the Church is no exception.
How Should We Respond?
When any pastor or Christian is thus exposed, one very human response is to point the finger of condemnation. A righteous anger over sin is acceptable. A feeling of sadness for a fallen leader is also acceptable. Condemnation is unacceptable. We are urged in Scripture to examine ourselves and not to let our hearts be lifted up in pride, lest we fall too (see Galatians 6:1). This is where we, as Christians, must be careful. I do believe that we will continue to see God uncover everything that has been hidden, even in the Church. We must guard our hearts from the pridefulness of thinking that these things could never happen to our leaders or to us. Humility before the Lord is a must. Self-examination and repentance are necessary in our personal lives as well.
As an intercessor, your call is to a lifetime of standing in the gap for others. In simpler terms, we live to pray — it is like breathing to us; prayer is our oxygen. Prayer is our first response to any situation. We must not have any other gods before us, and this includes our pastors and leaders. Our worship, adoration, and praise belong to the Lord. This means our eyes must be fixed on Jesus Christ at all times: When times are favorable, our eyes are on Jesus; when all hell is breaking loose, our eyes are on Jesus. Intercessors, guard your hearts from idolatry.
Restoration in All Things
Though this dream focused on praying for pastors, we must address the impact on victims. My heart breaks to hear of any abuse in church — sexual abuse, spiritual abuse, deception (including denial and blame-shifting), coverups, affairs, or any immorality. My heart hurts for those who were silenced from speaking out for fear of being shunned and for those who have been shunned. None of this was ever God’s design for His Church. As much as I pray for pastors, I believe we should also pray for any victims to seek healing and restoration. Abuse of any kind is traumatic and damaging and could cause a believer to walk away from the faith due to pain and anger. It’s enough to make a believer disconnect completely from fellowship due to fear of being abused or taken advantage of again. Living in isolation is not God’s design for the Church. While the Lord is merciful and forgiving, He is also just and righteous.
One Final Reminder
In the 1980s, two famous televangelists were publicly exposed for sexual immorality. Their fall was great, but both have since repented and been restored to full-time ministry. This reminded me of kings David and Saul: God had called both men to lead His people; both men sinned against God on more than one occasion. But Saul lost everything, including his kingdom, while David became the successor to that kingdom and is remembered as a man after God’s own heart.
What made the difference? The heart. Saul never took responsibility for his sins or demonstrated any genuine repentance. He cared more about his honor before the people. David, on the other hand, displayed the fruits of true repentance and showed that he cared more about his private devotion and worship before the Lord (1 Samuel 15:30 and 2 Samuel 24).
If any pastor or church is exposed in this way, our job as intercessors is to pray. It is up to the Lord to decide who will be restored and who will be permanently removed. Intercessors, never stop praying for your leaders.
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth (1 Timothy 2:1–4 NLT).
Let’s pray together:
Father, forgive us for allowing ourselves to be so divided. Forgive us for being lifted up in pride, for allowing ourselves to become arrogant and proud. We humble ourselves before You and ask You to examine our hearts and to search us out. Point out anything You find offensive. “Create in me a clean heart.” You said that You will never reject a broken and contrite spirit.
We cast off despair, division, and anything and everything that is hindering us from worshiping and walking with You. Forgive us, Lord, if we have idolized our pastors and leaders. They are only men and women, just like us. Forgive us for giving humans the glory that belongs only to You.
Bless all pastors with wisdom, boldness, and strength, because leading Your people is no easy task. Give them discernment like that of the sons of Issachar, to know the times and the seasons we are in now, and to act and lead accordingly.
Father, strengthen the pastors who are weary. We pray that those who are compromised by sin would heed Your call to turn back wholeheartedly and serve You as they did at first. You are a merciful and long-suffering God, but You do not ignore continual sin.
We pray for people who have been abused by leaders, for the healing that only You can provide. In their deepest hurt, we ask that You would reveal to them your presence. Bring restoration to everyone involved. Show us how to pray about this with Your heart for everyone involved.
Father, breathe on Your church; revive us once again. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Are you praying for pastors? And how are you praying for the Church?
Author Gloria Robles is a passionate intercessor with a prophetic voice for today. For more from Gloria, go to Spotify or Anchor to listen to her podcast Something To Share. Photo Credit: Aaron Burden on Unsplash.
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The real issue here is not temptation–or even the Devil (though as the author of fear, he plays the rle of puppeteer). The real issue is that sometime around the 4th century AD, church leaders (and bureaucrats) decided that the offices of the evangelist, apostle, and prophet–three of the 5 ‘leader-gifts’ Jesus gave to represent His Headship for the Church–were summarily erased from church life.
What remained in the local church is the Pastor and Teacher roles alone. We know from the words of Jesus–and much of the narrative of the Old Testament–is that Israel’s political leaders–including Priests, Scribes, civic officials, and Kings–discarded and murdered God’s Prophets, and even replaced them with men and women who deceived the people with counter-messages of “Peace and Safety” to shout down the true-to-God prophets who were calling the people and leaders to repent from the sins of murder, law-breaking injustices and idolatries.
Today, our churches are led primarily by pastors, teachers, and “ministers”–and their Boards/Elders. These are mostly good people, but who are inclined to be risk averse in thinking and policy. We have changed the name of apostles and evangelists to missionaries who operate outside of American churches. Moreso, we have discounted and discarded the God-given crucial office of the local church prophet, tarring and feathering him with the fabricated errors of dispensationalism–or more often–exile and reputation-bashing of any who the Holy Spirit has created, called, appointed to “speak the truth (reality) in love.” This is the most egregious, cancel culture of the modern Church–and the primary sin of Nicolaitanism Jesus called out in His prophetic messages (from the Apolstle-Prophet John) in Revelation 2-3. In addition these “letters” to these local churches were threatened by Christ that He would remove the Holy Sprit’s presence (Lampstands) in those churches that did not repent–would dare to disrupt the status quo of “Peace and Safety” as defined by the Lead Pastor and enforced by tradition and the Board.
As a former pastor and current “missionary”, I deeply grieve for these moral failures that bring shame upon the Bride of Christ, becasue it is so unnecessary! How can one man–or a team of pastors begin to fullfill their calling to feed and protect the flock when their Scrioture-given job description can only functions when all 5 of these roles are functioning in mutual submission? A far greater crime of our hubris, presumption, and lack of fidelity to the Scriptures is how many of these en burn out–leaving the casualties of heart disease, broken children, and marriages in their wake.
The author of this article is correct–if we never address the core issue–and repent from the error of what church leaders have been doing for 1,500 years–the carrion and shame will continue.
Lord God Almighty, help us be humble and lifted through our personal to national problems. We are all broken and need you as our ultimate doctor and Savior!
The Day of the Lord Malachi 4:1-3
“For indeed, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and everyone who commits wickedness will become stubble. The coming day will consume them,” says the LORD of Hosts,“not leaving them root or branches. But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings and you will go out and playfully jump like calves from the stall. You will trample the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day I am preparing,” says the LORD of Hosts.
No Other Gospel Galatians 1:6-10
I am amazed how quickly you are deserting the One who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ.
But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse! As we have said before, so now I say again:
If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be under a curse!
Father, You are Almighty and we know Your Day is coming but today, I pray for these who are distorting the Gospel of Christ. May Godly sorrow saturate their whole being. May confession and repentance fill their mouths. May Truth return to its rightful place in every heart and sanctuary, for YOUR glory and our good. I ask this in the Mighty Name of Jesus and with Holy Spirit fire. Amen
FATHER, THANK YOU FOR
* IFA * PRAYER PLATFORM!!!
I love to join in prayer with
AMERICA AND THE NATIONS, especially today… along with SPIRITUAL SONGS, Hymns
and Songs IN YESHUA’S HOLY NAME AMEN AMEN
O praising You Lord O praising You
Churches in Australia have changed so much ! So too the Dir of WEC
They all reject Free Will and accept predictions God who rejects all the people Jesus nor hears praising and prayers
Through countless angry lips I’ve been told to stop discipling Including the head of WEC
And praising You Lord for all I’ve learned about intercessory prayers this last few years
And from IFA about binding spirits
Pictogram and Instagram have become quit demonic. Don’t try to Unsubscribe
O praising You Lord in all things because You always inhabit our praises
Praise God, for He is good all of the time. Recall this Word. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Then add to this another scripture. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear; because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love (1 John 4:18).
Personally, my prayer for all who preach, teach, witness, pray and fast then spread the Gospel Message is to recall this Word of out Lord Jesus. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
Recall that it is Satan’s job to steal, kill and destroy godly folk. People who follow Jesus Christ have huge targets on their heads. Prayer cover is crucial for Christ followers.
Recall what the religious people back in that day did to Stephen in Acts chapter 7. They considered that they were doing God’s will. They stoned him to death because he pointed out their faults and held up Jesus Christ. Saul, who became the Apostle Paul was part of that mob back in the day.
Pray for discernment! Without God’s help and direction we, Bible believing people who call on God and support a church plus other ministries then consider ourselves followers of Christ. Please remember this —- Believe – NONE OF WHAT YOU HEAR AND ONLY HALF OF WHAT YOU SEE — in our social etc. life. GOSSIP is deadly. I have found that this serves me well. GO TO THEM – THE PERSON. Do not run to anyone else, follow the Scriptural recipe in St. Matthew 5: 22-24. (If it is through media, etc. keep a scrub brush
near by and cleanse your mind of such business). Believe the BIBLE. AMEN
Decades ago, probably in the 80s when a couple leaders fell, I felt like God said that The Body held responsibilty too, if we weren’t holding these leaders/pastors up in prayer. I felt a repeat of that conviction recently. I’ve “begun” but I really need to step up higher into faithfulness.
That is such a cohesive well put together article. Obviously inspired by Holy Spirit.
I searched my heart before God after I read it. I received conviction and realized I don’t really pray enough for my Pastors or leaders in the church. Sometimes the focus is on the things that are making the most noise at the present time. Thank you for opening my eyes to an urgent need especially in these turbulent times. Many blessings.
Father after reading this post I think about all the times a pastor, worship leader, teacher, prophet, or evangelist has been exposed for their sins. It is so easy for us to lift up our necks in pride and arrogance. We condemn others while committing the same offense at times.
Proverbs 29:1 states, “A man who hardens his neck after much reproof will suddenly be broken beyond remedy.” Father one who hardens his neck; is incorrigible, and obstinately persists in those sins for which he is reproved. Your word states, “That neck will be utterly and irrecoverably broken without remedy.”
There are so many things that can happen including being paralyzed or death when a neck is broken. Help us to live a life well pleasing to You.
Father as people who lead others help us to live in such a way that we bring glory to You. Help us not to be puffed up and haughty but to live humbly.
Help us not to hold one another up in an idolatrous way but to be hands extended in times of need. Do not let pride, overtake us strangling the very life out of us. Remind us daily that money is necessary to survive but greed corrupts a person.
I believe the greatest housecleaning is coming! Please correct us now so we can be reproved but not broken without remedy! In Jesus name Amen.
“I believe the greatest housecleaning is coming! ”
O my God, as do I….
Gloria, this is a topic also near and dear to my heart. As believers – especially as I yercessors – God is trusting us often with ‘inside information’ in order to pray but never to judge. God is looking for a Moses heart – a heart that, despite Pharaohs repeated breaking of his word and wickedness- will intercede for him over and over again. Jesus cried out from the cross, Father forgive them! They know not what they do!” That is to be our dry as well. We must, like Daniel and Nehemiah, identify with the sins of the church and cry out for mercy. Thank you for sharing those dreams. Powerful reminders of a sacred call.
Thank you for covering God’s way of dealing with sin in the body of Christ. My heart aches for those in backslidden situations and those not ready to repent and come clean before a holy God. May we ask for revival and unity throughout the believers in this world.
I just want to thank you for sharing that! That is so true in the church today! Including us the sheep need to be right with God! Very Encouraging that was beautiful I wonder if you write books thank you again!
Please pray for Africans pastors. They are called papa, prophets. And all kinds of names. People now worship them instead of God. They have replaced God’s word to the honor of themselves.
Lord have mercy on us.
I wrote a Book titled: Jesus is not in the bottle of Anointing oil or that man of Or that prophets. Jesus is the Living Word of God.
We should go back to his word.
Father, I lift up pastors all over this nation. I lift up the elders and deacons as well for it is important that they live their lives in honor to you as well. Ipray they would be filled by your Spirit, involved in prayer and your Word. Refresh those who are tired, let them seek your wisdom and may they love you above all else.
Father, may Your Spirit fill our pastors with Your power, may they know that You are greater than the enemy. You are more then able to equip them with Your Spirit of revelation and truth. May they not be hindered by the elder or deacon board! May they have freedom to teach Your word without hindrance! Surround them with wisdom, grace, humility ! Give them the freedom You offer them because they know You! In Jesus name
We decree pastors in the United States will be filled with the Fire of God willing to speak truth and the truth about the culture and those that chose not to move with the move of God REMOVE them and replace them with men and woman of fire. In Jesus Name.
Hebrews 6:4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age 6 and who have fallen[c] away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. 7 Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. 8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.
There are Davids and Sauls but there are also Jonathans.
Amen ! I prayed for all our Pastors. I pray God turns this nation around to love , gentleness, and for many to be saved in the name of Jesus. Romans 10:13 . John P.
Amen. Thank you for bringing this to the much needed forefront of our prayer requests. This is so very needed in California, as it is globally. Lord Jesus intervene and rise up strong, God fearing men and women to lead. In the holy and precious name of Yeshua Jesus, amen.