Church leaders are not immune to sin and the pressures of the world. From time to time high profile stories hit the news confirming this sad reality. Even from my life experience, I know, from speaking firsthand with victims, of a handful of pastors or other influential people in the universal church who have been guilty of crimes. Additionally, sins not tried in an earthly court, yet still extremely devastating, including pride, self-righteousness, lovelessness, partiality, unrighteous anger, gossip, neglect and more, unequivocally wreak havoc on the body of Christ (see Proverbs and Revelation 2-3 for starters).

My goal in directing our attention to this uncomfortable reality is to point out one thing our pastors need from us — prayer. I want to urge us to pray for the integrity of those we love and trust. Pastors need to be on a prayer list, not a pedestal.

Ephesians 6:18 says, “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.” Let’s intentionally pray for our spiritual brothers as Jesus prayed in John 17:15 that God “keeps them from the evil one.”

The Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes ends with “The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.” Satan wants to destroy each of us, but what a stomach-churning outcome when he successfully snares a trusted leader. (I Peter 5:8, Ezekiel 34). Earnestly pray that elders, deacons, and other church leaders will “fear God and keep His commandments.”

Who needs to be added to your prayer list? As Casting Crowns sings, “What If His People Prayed?”