The Foundation of Every Ministry

Sam Rainer

It amazes me how God continues to humble me as a pastor through the people of my church. I am supposed to be the spiritual leader, but many times the laity in my church blazes the path forward. For example, at our prayer meeting last night, a meek and humble woman made a passing comment that she did not intend for anyone to hear.

“This prayer list is getting long. I guess I’ll have to get up 20 minutes earlier to pray for all of them,” she whispered in a hushed tone.

I heard her. Then I thought: wow, she prays through the entire list every week like I do! I had to ask her about it.

“So you pray through the entire prayer newsletter every week?” I asked.

She stared at me as if she didn’t want to answer, but then I could tell that she felt obligated to give the pastor an answer.

“No, pastor Sam, I pray through the entire newsletter every morning.”

At that point, I realized I was putting on prayer shows. My actions didn’t show it, but my thoughts sure did.

God will humble spiritual leaders to keep them spiritual.

Then I realized that we give leaders too much credit. So much is written on leadership. Interviews are given to great leaders. The bulk of credit within the church goes to leadership. We honor leaders for their commitments and accomplishments.

But the real reason God works is because the meek and humble are praying. And they’re praying for the leaders – they’re praying that God will work through any means and any person. Their selfless prayers fuel revival. Their selfless prayers invigorate entire ministries.

In fact, their prayers are the foundation of every ministry in the church.

Thank you, prayer warriors. No one ever hears from you except God, and I know that’s just fine with you.