Romans 15:30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;
Paul asks for prayers in this passage from a church he had yet to see personally. They knew of him but did not know him intimately as Antioch, Macedonia, Thessolonica, or Corinth. Paul more often in his letters comments on his constant prayers for others. He commands believers to pray for each other. Once and a while he asks prayer for himself. Once and a while he even complains of the burden of ministry n the defection of young preachers from his work. Do not think once that Paul was whining or weak. Most of his ministry he spent in jail, court, beaten, hunted by assassins, or shipwrecked while on missionary journeys. He merely points out a need so often forgotten by church members n believers in general. Think about this the next time u carry a burden to ur pastor. He too, needs ur prayers. A pastor does not have a pastor save Jesus. There’s no one he confesses to, no one else who holds his hand when the going gets rough. When he sorrows or Satan attacks who does he seek out but the Lord alone? No one has an office where he can go n unburden the cares of this world that overwhelm his soul. Who visits him in his home when things r not well? Who holds his hand or comes to his bedside for prayer? When he needs encouragement, advice, patience, courage, grace or a challenge where can he find hope n help? No where but at the altar of God. Like the High Priest in Israel he carries the burdens n prayers of his Israel to the throne along w his own cares. Ministry can be a lonely, long journey for those the Lord calls. So don’t forget that when u bring a burden to ur pastor. He needs prayers too…..Because a pastor has no pastor, no shepherd, friend or confidant outside the Lord Jesus the great shepherd alone.
