I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

2 Timothy 4:1-5

Lord Jesus,

You are the true Shepherd of our souls, and You send under-shepherds as pastors to tend to Your flock on earth. You have commanded pastors to preach the truth of Your Word through both the Law and the Gospel. The time has certainly come when people do not endure sound teaching. Our itching ears chafe at Your Law, and we try to compromise with the secular world that tries to tell us there is no such thing as absolute truth. Forgive us, O Lord, and send us pastors who are willing to preach Your Word and administer Your Sacraments with conviction and clarity. Strengthen pastors everywhere to stand firm on Your Word, not to compromise with the world around them, and not to become discouraged by opposition. Allow pastors who have erred to repent, and give pastors everywhere a right understanding of Scripture, that they may shepherd their flocks faithfully. Give them wisdom to know how to administer Law and Gospel, and may You bless faithful pastors with fruitful ministries and contentment in their vocation. Allow parishioners to respect their pastors and submit to their authority, and bless Christian congregations everywhere to reach out to their communities and be a faithful witness for You.

I pray especially for the following pastors and congregations…

In Your name I pray. Amen.

  (For a full explanation of this challenge, see the post 12-Minute Prayer Challenge. If you are just joining us, feel free to continue on with us from the current day, or if you prefer, you can go back and start at Day 1.)