CAN YOUR PASTOR PRAY FOR YOU!!

On the surface this sounds like a simple question, with a simple answer of “yes”. Well allow me to rephrase the question.  Can your pastor effectively pray for you and the congregation? Most would once again answer “yes”.  Of course this question is posed to males only, since women pastors are a sinful oxymoron.

Let’s say while having a conversation with a brother, you were discussing the martial divorce of a friend of his. During the discussion, the topic of prayer came up and the question was, how effective is his prayer? It is well known and he has publicly acknowledged that he has had an adulterous affair. Are his prayers effective? Furthermore he is now divorcing his wife, and his household is in shams.  How effective are his prayers?

Let’s look at a couple of verses for reference.

Jas 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.   (nkjv)

James 5:16 So confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great effectiveness.   (net)

This verse reminds us that the prayer of a righteous person has great effectiveness. Therefore we would think that God hears and heeds our pastor’s prayer. The question to be answered is “ is your pastor righteous? That’s a debate I choose not to enter into in this brief article.  There are many reason our prayers are hindered but tonight we will discuss only one, Marriage and the household.

Be honest would you say that the person described above, the adulterer described above is righteous according to God’s word.  To make the answer easier let’s look at a verse that is more objective.

1 Pet 3:7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.  (nkjv)

1 Pet 3:7 Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as the weaker partners and show them honor as fellow heirs of the grace of life. In this way nothing will hinder your prayers. (net)

This verse clearly informs us that this mans prayer are cut off, hindered. His prayers are of none effect. Suppose the man described above is your pastor. Suppose he is one of the many pastors divorcing their wives. Can you pastor effectively pray for you? Be logical and not so emotional for a moment.  If a man can’t lift a 100lb weight how can you expect him to lift a 500lb weight. If he can’t do the lesser, he can’t do the greater.

Be honest, your adulterous pastor can’t effectively pray for you, but you are emotionally tied to him.  He opens with a prayer, thanking God for all in attendance; he prays for you to get a job; he prays for your healing; he prays for your children’s behavior and more. But are his prayers effective?

His prayers are hindered and ineffective!!!

How would you analyze your adulterous pastor and his prayers in light of  Prov 28:9? The one who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.

Ps 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear.

Isa 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

Today, thousand are sitting beneath pastors that can’t get a prayer past the ceiling. This is idolatry in one its worst fashions.  It is being pimped with no benefits. You are a herald for the pastor in all in glory. Though biblically disqualified you endorse him with your word, actions and financing.  He can give you nothing that last but you give him everything. You are like the prostitute on the corner giving her money and body to the pimp but gaining nothing.  You are being pimped and loving it. You are behaving as son of disobedience.

If his prayers are hindered at home they are hindered in the church. Listen to Paul as he gives Timothy instructions on how to run the Church of God 1 Tim 3:4 He must manage his own household well and keep his children in control without losing his dignity. God knows that a wrecked household leads to a wrecked prayer life.  A pastor that can’t pray for his household can’t effectively pray for his church. That is why God calls him disqualified. The final question is “Why do you still call him pastor?