In the news this week was the story of a luxury yacht that sank just minutes after it was launched on its maiden voyage. Something was clearly wrong. From all appearances, the yacht was perfect, beautiful, clean, shiny, modern, and attractive in every way. But she wasn’t what she appeared to be.
It will take some time to figure out what happened. Was it improperly constructed? Was it an engineering or design flaw? Did someone sabotage it? Or, was there just a hole in the bottom?! Time will tell.
When a ship is newly commissioned, or when any ship leaves port on a routine voyage, those around often invoke the old nautical benediction, “Godspeed, fair winds and following seas.” It is a means of invoking a well-wish for the vessel and those on board, safety, clear sailing, success, and prosperity for the mission. It is a kind of prayer. In the case of this yacht, someone forgot to pray!
This last week, from Hebrews 13:17-19, we saw the exhortations to faithfully follow faithful leaders, and faithfully pray for leaders’ faithfulness. It is the prayer part that will keep us afloat, from listing or sinking in heavy seas.
Prayer is a vast subject with much to explore. But it is evident that prayer is commanded. The writer of Hebrews exhorted the congregation with this command, “Pray for us!” We should never cease with our prayers. In fact, the Apostle Paul commanded, “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thess. 5:16-18). Two things: these are commands, and this is God’s will. Therefore, no need to ask, “Is it God’s will for me to pray?”
But did you realize that not praying is a sin? “Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you;” (1 Samuel 12:23). Prayerlessness on our part is a foolish act of independence from God.
So how do you pray for your church leaders to help us all stay afloat?
Pray for your leaders’ spiritual health.
If leaders are healthy, the church will be healthy. Robert Murray M’Cheyne famously said, “My people’s greatest need is my personal holiness.” The leader's life should be completely set apart to God, striving for righteousness, demonstrated in godliness. Your prayers play a significant role in helping leaders grow in Christ.
This will be demonstrated in their lives by purity, honesty, integrity, and self-control. Ironically, you should pray for their prayer life. John Bunyan said, "Prayer will make a man cease from sin, or sin will entice a man to cease from prayer.” Pray that your leaders will be men of prayer. After all, they are to be devoted “to prayer and to the ministry of the Word” (Acts 6:4). Therefore, when you pray for your leaders, you are praying for their faithfulness in prayer, but also in their study and teaching God’s Word to the flock.
Pray for your leaders’ unity.
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell in unity!” (Psalm 133:1). Without unity, the church lacks clear direction. Without unity, danger abounds. This is where a breach can occur, causing us to take on water and risk sinking. Church leaders will never agree on everything, and it’s unreasonable to expect they will. However, there must be unity on Scripture’s teachings and major issues of the day. Beyond that, it’s surprising how much freedom we have to choose how we do things. But this is where unity is often challenged: in the areas of freedom over non-essential matters. The enemy’s goal is to distract and divide. So pray for protection from the wiles of our foe to destroy us over differences over little things.
Pray for wisdom.
When Solomon was asked by God, “Ask what shall I give you?” Solomon answered, “Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people, for who can rule this great people of Yours?” (2 Chron. 1:10). True leaders rely on God and desire the best for the people. Good leaders will regularly pray this prayer of Solomon. It is to your advantage and everyone in the flock that God grants your prayer for their wisdom on leadership.
Pray for your own love and acceptance of your leaders.
It is quite common for there to be tension between God’s people and their leaders (Read the Bible). Leaders are not perfect. Sometimes, there are simple personal differences. Your leader’s imperfections may rub you the wrong way. Perhaps you disagree with them on certain issues, don’t care for their style, or simply lack a natural affection for them. Left to fester, these can increase the tension and lead to resentment. However, prayer is powerful. It should be no surprise that when you pray for others, God may work in your own heart. When we pray for each other, the tensions may fade, problems resolve, and Christ-like love is manifest in a closeness that only God can create.
When it comes to Valley Bible Church being sea-worthy and shipshape, prayer is essential. God has entrusted great responsibility to the leaders of Valley Bible Church. However, the responsibility for the health of the church falls on all of us, really.
I spent a significant amount of time on an aircraft carrier. At its peak, there are over 5,000 souls on board. It is the responsibility of the Captain, department heads, division officers, and other leaders to keep those souls safe and to accomplish the mission. Although the Captain and his staff bear the primary responsibility, every sailor on board has a part to play, from the Captain down to the mess decks and the deepest recesses of the engineering spaces. Everyone has an essential role.
And so it is with our church. As your leaders, we want to keep this ship afloat. A church experiences wear and tear, corrosion, and dents and dings that threaten our “hull integrity." We face heavy seas, storms, and life's hardships. Prayer is perhaps our greatest need in these times: “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” (Ephesians 6:18).
When that luxury yacht sank on its maiden voyage, its life was cut short by a catastrophic failure. It sank for a reason. Eventually, it will be revealed that it was a human error. People made some serious mistakes. As a church, we must always stay alert for human mistakes while praying for God’s protection and faithfulness. Faithfully pray for your leaders’ faithfulness, and we will remain afloat. Please, pray for your leaders and for our church, for Godspeed, fair winds, and following seas.
Fair winds and following seas
may forever you feel, upon your cheek, the salty breeze.
Your spirit lives on in many a heart,
your words captured and never to depart.
May your loved ones be comforted knowing
that heaven is where you are going.
For all that they have to do is look above,
and they will be reminded of your love.By Dave Kelly