Prayer List: October is Clergy Appreciation Month

Photo: Flickr/Patrick Hoesly

In 1994 Focus on the Family established Clergy Appreciation Month with a clear objective: "Our goal is that every pastor (including staff ministers) and his or her family would feel appreciated by those they serve."
According to a Bureau of Labor Statistics report, there are an estimated 44,000 clergy in the United States. 23,460 of the clergy work for churches and other religious organizations. A significant number of clergy work as chaplains in hospitals and the military.
Surveys of clergy reveal a struggling profession:

• The Canadian Free Press reports, "In any given month at least 50% of priests, pastors, and ministers have visited at least one pornographic website."
• A Duke University study shows 40% of clergy between the ages of 35 and 64 to be overweight.
• Hartford Seminary determined that clergy divorce rates are similar to the church members in the pews.

Join us in praying for clergy this month.
Prayer List

1. Thank God for the pastors, priests, chaplains and other ministers in your community as well as those that serve around the world.
2. Pray for clergy to love God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength.
3. Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide the clergy, giving them discernment for resolving conflicts and addressing false teaching.
4. Pray for clergy to boldy proclaim the gospel.
5. Pray for ministers to be faithful to their spouses and their children.
6. Pray for clergy to repent of secret sins.
7. Pray for God to be glorified through the service of the clergy.
8. Pray for protection for persecuted clergy, their families and the congregations they serve.