When the apostle Paul wrote his second letter to the Corinthian church, he recalls a struggle they had in the province of Asia. Paul said, “We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we thought we would die” (2 Corinthians 1:8-9). Then he said, “And you are helping us by praying for us” (2 Corinthians 1:11). When I read this, I was reminded that while the Christians in the first century were persecuted, there was no one more persecuted than Paul and those who traveled with him.
The same is true today. Satan is after all believers simply because they belong to God, but his greatest targets are those on the front lines in ministry… pastors, teachers, ministry leaders. Christians who have been thrown into the lion’s den, like those in government positions or those in secular places, like universities. We simply cannot understand the pressure they are facing from outside and inside. Teachers of God’s Word are called to “correctly handle the Word of Truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). The word CORRECTLY stands out in this verse.
But the pressure to compromise or bow to cultural ideologies is VERY STRONG. And many have fallen to deceptive spirits. I’m writing this today to remind you to pray for your pastor, Bible teacher, or those you regularly listen to or follow. Paul told the Corinthians that their prayers helped them amid intense persecution. Our prayers can help God’s messengers as well. Our prayers can help to protect them from falling under pressure, from mishandling God’s Word, or from adopting wrong theology. Our prayers can give them strength. It’s a difficult day for Christian pastors and leaders for sure. Deception is abounding. Pressures are insurmountable.
One story that grabs my heart every time I read it is found in Exodus 17 when Aaron and Hur stood alongside Moses to hold up his hands when they got tired. The battle was raging in the valley below and when Moses’ hands were up, the Israelites were winning. But when they fell, the Israelites were losing. So, Aaron and Hur helped him by holding up his tired arms. What a perfect picture of how our prayers can help leaders. So, let me encourage you today to come alongside your pastor(s), leader(s), or those you regularly listen or follow and pray for them. No doubt, your prayers will help them today as they shepherd the flock God has given to them and will also help them to correctly handle the Word of Truth.