FOR OUR ELDERS AS THEY GO ON RETREAT
“Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the Word of God… for they are keeping watch over your souls.” (Heb. 13:7,17)
Scripture portrays elders as shepherds—those entrusted with protecting, feeding, leading, and caring for God’s flock. The apostle Paul reminds us that the Holy Spirit has made them overseers to shepherd the church of God (Acts 20:28), while Peter exhorts elders to “shepherd the flock of God among you” (1 Pet. 5:2). Paul also warns the Ephesian elders of dangers “from fierce wolves” and urges them to “pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which He obtained with His own blood.”
As our elders go on retreat this week, let us pray that God would strengthen and renew them for this sacred calling:
Scripture portrays elders as shepherds—those entrusted with protecting, feeding, leading, and caring for God’s flock. The apostle Paul reminds us that the Holy Spirit has made them overseers to shepherd the church of God (Acts 20:28), while Peter exhorts elders to “shepherd the flock of God among you” (1 Pet. 5:2). Paul also warns the Ephesian elders of dangers “from fierce wolves” and urges them to “pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which He obtained with His own blood.”
As our elders go on retreat this week, let us pray that God would strengthen and renew them for this sacred calling:
- That they would grow in understanding their calling before God through the Word and the power of the Holy Spirit, knowing they have been entrusted with both authority and responsibility to lead the flock.
- That they would deepen their devotion to prayer and the ministry of the Word (Acts 6:4), in unity, humility, and obedience under the authority of Christ.
- That the Lord would grant them wisdom and discernment as they face the practical challenges of ministry, and understanding of their complete dependence on God’s grace and mercy.
- That they would be strengthened in unity of purpose and direction, compelled by God’s revelation and consumed with His glory in Christ, and that their commissioning by God’s will would be affirmed.
- That, through their faithful service, our congregation would be equipped for the work of ministry and building up the body of Christ. (Eph. 4:12)