October is Pastor Appreciation Month. The Grow in Grace team is grateful for your faithful service and has gathered a few prayers and words of encouragement especially for you.

A prayer for our pastors, based on Psalm 134: Lord God, heavenly Father, we thank and praise you for the more than 1,350 pastors you have called to serve in our church body—in our corner of your house. They are your servants, who stand before you to serve by day and by night, in the pulpit, at the bedside, in the study, and in the quiet hours when no one else is watching. Grant them health of body, mind, and spirit. When their labors leave them weary, give rest and renew their strength. Fill them with joy in the gospel, so that as they lift up their hands to bless your name, their own hearts are glad in Christ, who is their righteousness and their reward. Bless the work of those hands: their preaching and teaching, their visits and counsel, and their prayers offered only in your presence. Let your Word go out through them and bear lasting fruit in the hearts and lives of your holy people. As they have so often spoken your blessing over us, we now say to them: “May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who made heaven and earth.” In the name of Jesus, the Chief Shepherd. Amen. – Brad Wordell

Dear Heavenly Father, you have blessed our church body with such treasures in the pastors you have given us. Daily renew in them the awe and wonder of knowing that they are forgiven and are members of your kingdom for Jesus’ sake. Renew in them also the passion, joy, and privilege of serving as your faithful ambassadors, always seeking to be more deeply rooted in your life-giving Word. Through their ministry, continue to bring the treasures of Christ to your people and to the world. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. – Robert Wendland

Dear pastors, I thank God for your faithful work among God’s people, especially at those times when your work seems thankless and fruitless. Even then, please always know that “your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Cor 15:58). I pray for you. May the Lord guard you from temptation, and may you serve with the strength He provides. “When the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away” (1 Pet 5:4). – KAC

Dear pastors, May you always know that the work you do matters. May you feel the many people praying for you this month and always. Please know that I pray for you weekly and you are the pastors that I have in mind as I serve as part of the Grow in Grace team. I’m cheering you on always! – Kim Workentine (Grow in Grace Retreat Coordinator and Promotions)

I thank my heavenly Father for faithful ministers of the gospel like you, and I am deeply grateful for your devoted service in His kingdom. May the Lord continue to bless and strengthen you as you faithfully teach and proclaim His Word in all its truth and purity and labor joyfully in His harvest field! – August Biga (Grow in Grace Intern)

Lord Jesus, send your angels to guard and protect the shepherds who watch over your flock. Strengthen and sustain them and keep them faithful in your Word until you bring us all safely home. 

Help, Lord Jesus, help them nourish  

your dear children with your Word, 

that in constant love they serve you 

till in heav’n their song is heard. 

Boundless blessings, Lord, bestow 

on your servants’ work below 

till by grace to them is given 

their reward, the crown of heaven. 

Amen. 

“Send, O Lord, Your Holy Spirit,” st. 3, Christian Worship: Hymnal