Have you ever wondered what your pastor and his wife do all week? Whether your pastor is my husband, or you are under the care of another shepherd, the same will be true for most every pastor. Lean in a little and we’ll peek inside the window for a little glimpse into the lives of a pastor’s family.
It’s Monday morning and the alarm on my husband’s phone does its little beeping thing, interrupting our sleep and announcing that another week of ministry in the parsonage has begun. For us, a week of ministry begins on Monday. Monday is typically our day off, but even though our bodies might not be engaged in ministry, our minds are thinking ahead to what’s coming up this week. We’re thinking of who we’ll be meeting with, sermons or lessons that need to be studied, contacts that need to be followed up on, agendas that need to be planned, calls or visits that need to be made, notes that need to be sent, or meals that need to be prepared.
Along with services and planned ministries in a week there are also calls from hurting sheep that need encouragement, the sick sheep that need a visit, the wandering sheep that need a nudge, and the lost sheep that need the Gospel. The Lord brings these dear folks to our hearts too and allows us the privilege of caring for them.
The week is often full – full of ministry – and full of blessings as we look to the Lord as to what needs to be accomplished each day. To be honest, occasionally it’s overwhelming, but that’s often when we’ve added things to our schedule that the Lord didn’t plan for us. Or if I’m walking in my flesh instead of the Spirit, it’s easy to be stressed out. Stress isn’t God’s plan; it’s a tool of the flesh and I also think it’s a tool the devil uses to defeat us.
No one can do what the Lord calls them to do in their flesh. We need His help every single day. We need the prayers of others. So with that little peek into our window, here’s a list of things that you can pray for me and my husband or any pastor and his family. Pray for:
- Time to study and be sufficiently prepared to handle the Word of God on Sunday
- Personal time in the Word so they’ll stay fresh and have an intimate walk with the Lord
- A vibrant prayer life
- Wisdom to make choices about what burdens need their attention today
- Wisdom to apply the Word of God in counseling situations
- Strength for each day
- Love for the sheep
- A heart of hospitality
- Protection of their marriage
- Family time
- Protection of their children
- Encouragement
We say with Paul,
RefreshHer 