“Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you” (2 Thessalonians 3:1).
Every believer has a ministry. When you were born again, you received the ministry of prayer. Your prayer is vital if you are going to get all that God has for you when you hear the word preached. Even the apostle Paul desired that the people would pray for him so that he can preach what the people needed.
Hence, if you don’t pray for your pastor, you won’t get all that you need from his ministry to you. You want the word of God to have free course, so that you can get all that God has for you.
There is much to pray for. That is why a believer should have a prayer life that consists of praying for others. If you are an individual who prays for other people, that ministry is as effective, if not more effective, than ministers preaching in the pulpit. And God is going to give you credit for all the lives that were changed, all the people that were helped, all the healing that took place, all the Christians who were enlightened as a result of your diligence to pray.
For all the people that had something good happen in their life, you get the credit because of your prayer. I am well convinced of that.
I am well convinced that when we get to heaven, the Father will not be calling the big-name ministers first to receive the biggest crown. He is going to call grandma first. She’s the one that sits at the very back of the church.
Nobody saw her but that woman was praying before she got to church. She prayed all the time the minister was preaching. She prayed when she left the church. She prayed for this sister, and that brother. She is always being used by God.
The one who gets the greatest reward is the one who is available to be used by God whenever He needs them to pray. That is what that praying grandma is like. Every time you turn around the Holy Ghost can use her to pray. And she’s the one who caused the big named ministers to be able to have that revelation.
And she is the one who operated in the ministry of the believer, prayed and caused many to be delivered and saved. God is going to call that little woman up while all the rest of the big time ministers say, “Who is she? I never heard of her before.”
But God says, “I heard of her. And I am giving her the biggest crown.”
Scripture reference: Matthew 19:27-30
Keith Butler Ministries
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).