When Church Work Just Hurts: A Call to Intercede for Church Leaders

It happens. To most of us, if not to all of us who are leaders in a local church. Somewhere, somehow, at some point, something happens in ministry that wounds us deeply. Much of the time, that “something” is related to a “someone” whose frustration with us (wrath, even, it sometimes seems) is unexpected and often unwarranted. 

I may be mistaken, but I don’t think I’ve ever met anyway who chose to step into church leadership assuming the work would sometimes be agonizing. Rather, we start this work with excitement . . . and passion . . . and vision . . . and faith. None of that includes people and problems in the church that are at times almost impossible to describe. 

Still, it happens. 

And, we grieve. Often alone. After all, we think, strong believers aren’t supposed to struggle with believing and trusting. They are to press on in faith. They say with Peter, “Even if everyone else runs, I will not”—and they’re afraid to turn to anyone else with complete vulnerability and honesty. 

Then, we pour ourselves into our work simply because we want to give our best to God—but it’s not always what others think our “best” should be. To be truthful, we ourselves sometimes begin to wonder if we have anything left to give . . . anything of value . . . anything that will make a difference in the Lord’s work. We long for a good night’s rest and a better day tomorrow—but it’s hard to see either happening. 

That may be where you are today. As you read this post, your heart is hurting. Your family is struggling. You’re committing to ministry only one day at a time, uncertain whether you will stay in your leadership position. The ongoing stressors of COVID-19 have only made the whole situation worse, and none of the puzzle pieces seems to be falling into place right now. You know God is always faithful, but your faith is waning. 

If this post has just described you, I want you to know what I’m asking all my readers to do today: take five minutes, and pray for wounded, hurting church leaders. I don’t know what God’s will is for you in the days to come, but I do believe it’s His will for all of us to pray for others today. Especially those who are in pain.

It’s all amazing, actually – God’s people who don’t always know each other by name, who haven’t always walked in the same shoes, and who at times don’t even speak the same mother language joining hearts in prayer, trusting God to work miracles we may never see in the lives of church leaders we’ve often never met. In prayer for each other, we are not alone. 

But, that’s one of the beauties of intercession. We are praying for you today, friends.