"For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light."

I’ve actually met people who are under the impression that their pastor only works on Sundays. I can’t speak for every pastor but I know from personal experience that a pastor who is worth his or her salt is one who pours out his or her self day and night, agonizing over the souls in such a one’s care. There is a constant sense of urgency when one realizes that such ministry has eternal results. When many people go home from a day’s work, they have the satisfaction of a job well done. Even so, many very dedicated workers have made the statement to me that they can be replaced. In fact, in today’s work market, one can be on top one day and out the door the next. And when that happens, a person has to pick up and go on to the next job or possibly train for a new career. But with a pastor, the seriousness of one’s calling and the challenges of effective ministry is a constant concern. There is also an ever-present awareness of eternal consequences, for better or worse, of one’s ministry fruitfulness and effectiveness.

So pastors pray for their people constantly in genuine love and concern for the eternal destiny of their souls! We seek God’s best in our being able to effectively communicate the importance of godly living, of fighting the good fight, of finishing well. Spiritual wisdom and understanding is crucial for victory in the Christian’s heart, life and effective outreach ministry to others. It is a very important process. It is a constant growing and nurturing experience. It is a trip toward heaven in which we must never let up on the quest for His best for not only ourselves, but for those who the Lord has entrusted to our care as shepherds.

As such, pastor and people, alike, need to constantly pray for one another. We need to love, to care, and to share whatever is on our hearts, realizing that we are a part of a worldwide family of Christ-centered, Spirit-anointed people who are in love with Jesus. We are admonished in Scripture to "Love one another." As such, we’ll go on to live our lives in line with God’s Word and His will. We’ll strengthen and compliment one another as we obediently and joyfully reach out to others, bearing fruit, as only the Lord can enable and empower us to do. Yes, we pray for one another. We care. We share. Hallelujah!

You are welcome to share this devotional in your local churches, home fellowship Bible studies, etc., but I suggest that you personalize it. You do not have permission to publicize it or to make money from it in any form. May God richly bless you as you minister for Him with rich spiritual rewards of seeing many souls saved and sanctified for all eternity! Please let me know whatever helpful results you may get from this!

With Warm Sincerity in Jesus’ Love,

Rev. Don Schink, Pastor-Evangelist

Sonlight Ministries

Tijeras, NM