Do we see our ministry leaders’ struggles?
Remember my chains. Colossians 3:18
Jesus, Great Shepherd of the Sheep,
As we read the apostle Paul’s closing instructions to the Colossians,
we can’t miss his reminder,
which he mentions twice,
that he is in chains.
He has told the Colossians
the good news of the gospel:
they have died with Christ,
been raised with Christ,
are rooted in Christ,
and are hidden in Christ.
Now they and we can live in peace,
in tenderness,
in mercy.
Now he encourages them and us
to pray.
We must pray for all who are ministers of the gospel:
preachers, teachers, youth workers,
children’s and women’s ministry directors.
We pray that we would not in any way imprison them,
that we would speak to them
and about them
as we are directed to speak to everyone—
wisely, graciously, kindly (Col. 4:5-6).
May we be faithful brothers and sisters,
people like Tychicus, Onesimus, and Aristarchus,
comforting our ministry leaders
in trying and bewildering times (Col. 4:7-11),
working with our ministry leaders
for the glory of the Kingdom of God (Col. 4:7-12).
May we “pray earnestly” like Epaphras
for the good of our church,
asking God to help the whole church
follow the will of God (Col. 4:12-13).
And may we always remember their chains,
remember that our ministry leaders
suffer for the sake of the glory of God.
In your shepherding name. Amen.
Read Colossians 4.
