““It is my own eager expectation and hope, that [looking toward the future] I will not disgrace myself nor be ashamed in anything, but that with courage and the utmost freedom of speech, even now as always, Christ will be magnified and exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.””
Every true servant of God has an expectation and hope that God will be glorified, magnified, and exalted in their daily lives and ministry as they partner with the Holy Spirit for God’s work on earth. It is, therefore, a fair request to pray that one will not be disgraced or put to shame; this has to be with being misguided or taking a direction not authorized by the one in charge-the Holy Spirit.
Joshua 1:8 “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Pray for the grace of devoted, determined, serious, and consistent time in the word of God. One can give only what one has. Even if we ask God to multiply a seed or water it, he will not give us the seed, we must sow the seed in order for God to water, cause it to grow, and thus bear lasting fruits. The preacher must spend time in the word of God and prayer so that God will prosper His word in them so when they speak, the word (Fruit) will be full in their mouth.
1 Timothy 4:13-14 “13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.” Ministers of the gospel are called to preach and teach the word of God wherever they find themselves. They are also called to operate in their spiritual gifts. Pray for the grace to preach, teach, and operate in the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Isaiah 11:2 “And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.” Pray that the Spirit of the Lord will rest upon every true servant of God and empower them with wisdom, understanding, knowledge and the fear of God.
2 Timothy 2:24 “The servant of the Lord must not participate in quarrels but must be kind to everyone [even-tempered, preserving peace, and he must be], skilled in teaching, patient and tolerant when wronged.” Pray for the grace to withstand the kinds of temptation that is common to all men-fights, proofing a point of being right etc. Pray that they will allow the leadership of the Holy Spirit to teach them the word of God.
1 Peter 5:1-2 “1Church leaders, I am writing to encourage you. I, too, am a leader, as well as a witness to Christ's suffering, and I will share in his glory when it is shown to us. 2 Just as shepherds watch over their sheep, you must watch over everyone God has placed in your care. Do it willingly in order to please God and not simply because you think you must. Let it be something you want to do instead of something you do merely to make money.” Pray for the grace to keep in line with this word of God.
Acts 20:28 “Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.” Pray that ministers of the gospel will be true watchmen who watch the flock of God on their knees at the altar in partnership with the Holy Spirit- the one who has called them and given them the flock.
Acts 20:24 “But I do not consider my life as something of value or dear to me, so that I may [with joy] finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify faithfully of the good news of God’s [precious, undeserved] grace [which makes us free of the guilt of sin and grants us eternal life].” Pray for the grace upon every true minister to finish well and not get entangled with foolishness and worldly matters.