Spiritual battles. Every believer faces spiritual battles on a daily basis (Ephesians 6:12), but much more so the man or women of God. If the devil can knock out God's servant the people will experience defeat as well. They are like the general giving direction to the army in the mist of the battle. In 2 Kings 6, the Syrian army came after Elisha (the man of God), because he was giving revelation to Israel, God's people. The devil and all his host comes after God's servants especially when they are giving His people fresh revelation form the Word of God. That's why we should make sure a few things are done for our pastors regularly.

1. Pray for them constantly. Paul said we are to pray for those in positions of authority (1 Timothy 2:1-3). Your pastor needs your continual prayers. They are on the front lines of the battle for you. Pray and do spiritual warfare for them as often as you can.
2. Encourage them. Let them know you are behind them, mean it, and really get behind them in full support. Know that as soon as you tell your pastor that you are behind him or her, the devil will hit you and try to get you to come against them. The very ones that cried out in praise to Jesus during His triumphant entry days later cried "crucify him"! In Acts 14 the very ones who tried to offer sacrifice to Paul and Silas as gods, when they wouldn't allow them to, stoned Paul. Resist this type of attack with all that you have and stand behind your pastor in full support.
3. Vacations and rest. Make it possible for your pastor and their mate to get away regularly. I believe the pastor needs a couple of good vacations each year, and at least a three day mini-trip every three months or so. There is something about leaving the geographical area in which we minister. It seems that a heavy load lifts once we pass out of a certain geographical area. Try to take up a good offering for them before they go and maybe even pay for their hotel and travel expenses!

 Distractions. There is the prison of distractions. The enemy will continually attempt to distract the man or women of God from what God has called them to.

1. Busyness. The enemy will attempt to keep us busy with all kinds of things. Frequently, they will seem to be important things, but are really only trivial things that God hasn't called us to. It was Martha who was distracted with all her preparation while Mary sat at the Master's feet listening to His words. Jesus said Mary had chosen the good part which would not be taken from her (Luke 10:38-42). The Apostles were feeding people instead of focusing on the word and prayer. This is where the body and more particularly the leaders of the church come in to play. Jump in and help your pastor. Find out what needs to be done and do it. Ask what you can do to help to relieve their burden. And pastors don’t be afraid to let them help, delegate!
2. Having a secular job (bi-vocational). I don't believe it is God's will for the pastor to have to work two or more jobs. They should be free to dedicate themselves to ministry fully so that they can give it their best. I understand there may be times it is necessary on a short term or temporary basis, but it should not be for very long. People always point to Paul and say that he made tents for a living. From my understanding of scripture, he only did so a couple of times for about a thirty day period and then promptly went back to full time ministry. Usually the church or it's leaders won't make the necessary financial commitment, or the pastor is afraid to take the step of faith to leave his secular job and trust God.
3. Putting out fires. Often pastors are distracted by having to continually put out fires in the church. These usually come by way of peoples tongues. James said "the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity" (James 3:5-6). When people begin to complain, criticize, and gossip, then the fire begins to spread. It is then up to the pastor to try to put the fire out. It can be directed towards one another, leadership, the Word being taught, or the church in general. Paul told the Romans, "mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which you have learned and avoid them" (Romans 16:17 KJV).

Next... Pastoral Prisons Part 3