Jeremiah 3:15 Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.

1 Timothy 5:17 Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 But we ask you, brothers, to acknowledge those who work diligently among you, who preside over you in the Lord and give you instruction. In love, hold them in highest regard because of their work. Live in peace with one another.

Hebrews 13:7 Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.

DEVO:

Appreciate:
To recognize how good someone or something is and to value them; to value or highly admire; to recognize with gratitude; to feel thankful for someone or something; to understand someone or something’s true worth

At Harvest, Pastor Appreciation will actually happen in October but we want to prepare by praying for our pastors the entire month of September.

Our pastors make the job look easy. But, how often do you allow yourself to pause and think about the job of a pastor? Have you ever thought about what a pastor sees or hears? Have you considered how they are willing to step into the middle of people’s lives, whether those moments are happy and celebratory or messy, sad, or devastating? Have you thought about how their schedules include so many things outside of their own wants and desires because they spend their lives pouring into their flock? Have you thought about how many phone calls they must receive and how many hours pastors spend talking with people about the situations they are going through? Have you thought about the countless ways pastors minister to people and care for them, how they mentor and disciple people, how they counsel people, or how they invest in people? Have you thought about how much time our pastors must spend in prayer? Have you stopped to consider the weight of the life they are living?

This is why we pause and show our appreciation for our pastors. Sadly, we human beings aren’t always great at telling people how much we appreciate them, how thankful we are to have them in our lives, or that they’re doing a wonderful job. It takes intentional awareness to step outside our own thought worlds and consider others most of the time, so this month, that’s what we’re going to do. We’re going think about the difference our pastors have made in our lives and then we’re going to tell them what they mean to us.

Here are some ways to show your appreciation:
The first way is to cover them in prayer. Speak blessings over their lives. Ask God to give them wisdom, to give them strength, to grant them protection. I believe it is important to cover our pastors in prayer because it allows us as a congregation to help them carry the burden God has called them to carry.

As you read through those questions listed above, try to use them as prayer points. For example, you can pray that when they are called upon to step into a messy moment of someone’s life, that God would give them wisdom, compassion, and grace to share His love with that person. Pray and ask for God to give them the time and ability to rest and recover from the times they spend ministering to others, that God would refresh them in body, soul, and mind so that they can continue the work God has called them to.

The next thing I can think of is to send them an email, a text, or give them a card. Put your thoughts and prayers into words. Encourage them. Their job is difficult. They need encouragement. Let them know you’re on their side and that you are invested in their well-being. With a card, email, or text, they can save your words and revisit them in times when they are needing that encouragement.

Another way to show appreciation is by giving gifts. You may not know your pastors well when it comes to shopping for gifts, but I promise you, you can find someone who does know them. Gifts don’t have to be extravagant. Pastor Jason was just telling us about how he takes cars to get oil changes or fill gas tanks, so gift cards to those places might be a great idea. Gift cards to restaurants, movie theaters, or even grocery stores are other suggestions.

The last thing I can think of is to share your pastors with others. If you love your church and your pastors, bring people to church and introduce them. Help them further the kingdom of God by bringing people to church.

PRAYER:
God, thank You for the amazing pastors You have blessed us with at Harvest! Thank You for all the hard work and effort they put in on a daily basis to further Your kingdom and to care for the flock You have given them charge over. Thank You for the honor I have to pray for them.

I pray that as we go through the month of September, You would be with my pastors. I ask that You would give them moments of rest and relaxation because their job is difficult. I ask that You would bring people into their lives to speak life to them, that You would encourage them when days are long and moments are hard, and that You would let them feel Your presence with them as their congregation prays for them specifically. I pray for wisdom in every decision they face. I pray for courage and tenacity to keep walking in their calling. I ask that they would feel appreciated by the people they pour their lives into. I pray that they would see the fruits of their labor.

God, help me learn to appreciate the pastors in my life more. Help me show them appreciation and gratitude more often than just once a year. Give me words to speak to them that would lift their spirits and encourage them throughout the year. Help me remember that it is an honor to pray for the pastors in my life and let me not grow complacent in this area.