There are so many reactions we could have when we hear the news of a Christian leader’s sin. I’ve been pondering the reaction of prayer. Here are seven people or people-groups we could pray for when a Christian leader sins in a way that disqualifies them for ministry.
#1: Pray with the Trinity and for the Trinity’s Glory
In Jesus’ high priestly prayer in John 17, He prayed that the Father might be glorified—as His children are united in love and sanctified by the Spirit. Of course, a Christian leader’s moral failing is the opposite of Christian unity and maturity. So, first, we should pray that despite the sin of God’s people, God would still be glorified.
We should also pray with the Spirit—who groans with us over the fallenness of our world—Romans 8:19-27. And we should pray with the Son—who ever lives to intercede for His people (Hebrews 7:25).
When a Christian leader falls, perhaps we could do less Twitter tweeting and we could do more Trinity-like praying…
#2: Pray for the People Sinned Against by the Fallen Christian Leader
In Matthew 18:6-7, Jesus expresses holy wrath and holy compassion whenever anyone causes a believer to stumble. Whether the leader’s moral failing is the sin of sexual abuse, spiritual abuse, or any other sinful behavior, people are victimized.
We should pray that those sinned against by a fallen Christian leader would receive the sustaining and healing ministry of the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). And pray that they would receive the comfort, care, support, and protection of the body of Christ (2 Corinthians 1:4-7).
#3: Pray for the Family Members of the Fallen Christian Leader
Yes, I understand that at times some family members could be complicit in the sin of the fallen Christian leader. However, having ministered to many family members of fallen Christian leaders, I know that many times they are innocent victims themselves. They are crushed. They are in despair. They are confused. They are devastated. They often experience shame and condemnation—by association.
We can pray that the peace of God that passes all understanding would guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). We can pray that the God of peace would be with them day by day (Philippians 4:9).
#4: Pray for Christians Who Are Tempted to Doubt and Stumble
Even though we all know better than to put our hopes in any human being, we all still do it at times. We admire a godly leader’s ministry gifts; we are touched by the leader’s ministry in our lives. And then, the unthinkable happens. The news breaks that they have broken their commitment to Christ. And our hearts break. Some are so heartbroken that their faith is shaken to its core. Doubts creep in. Satan’s tempts some to wonder, “Is any of what this leader taught about Christianity even true?”
Because they are shaken, we can pray that they would experience what Paul experienced—that sin and suffering would be used by God “so that we might not rely upon ourselves but on God who raises the dead (2 Corinthians 1:9). Pray that God would use for good the evil of a Christian leader—so that we would not trust in any human being, but in God alone.
#5: Pray for Unbelievers Who See the Hypocrisy of the Fallen Christian Leader
When an unbeliever brings up the hypocrisy of Christian leaders as a reason/excuse not to believe the gospel, we need Colossians 4:2-6 wisdom.
We can pray what Paul prayed: that we would be wise in how we act toward unbelievers, making the most of every opportunity to proclaim Christ’s gospel of grace (Colossians 4:2-5). We can pray that our conversations with unbelievers are always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that we may know how to answer everyone (Colossians 4:6).
#6: Pray for the Fallen Christian Leader
If it appears that they have yet to repent, then we can pray 2 Timothy 2:25-26—that God would grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they would come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
If it appears that they are repentant, then we can pray 2 Corinthians 7:8-13—that they would experience not worldly sorrow, but godly sorrow that brings true repentance and leads to salvation and leaves no regret (2 Corinthians 7:8-10). We can pray that they would sincerely and consistently over time show forth the fruit of repentance and godly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:11).
Perhaps this third recommendation may be the hardest for some: as the person shows forth godly sorrow and the fruit of repentance, we can pray 2 Corinthians 2:5-11 for them. We pray that they would not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow (2 Corinthians 2:7) and that they would not be defeated by Satan’s condemnation (2 Corinthians 2:11). We pray that they would experience Christ’s forgiveness and the forgiveness of the body of Christ (Luke 15 and 2 Corinthians 2:7). We pray that those who know and minister to the repentant fallen leader would comfort this person and reaffirm their love for this person (2 Corinthians 2:7-8).
#7: Pray for Ourselves
Whenever I hear of the fall of a Christian leader, several passages and several prayers go through my mind. I ponder and pray Matthew 7:3-5. I ask God to reveal to me any speck-size sin(s) and any log-size sin(s) in my own heart. Perhaps before we tweet about a Christian leader’s sin, we should confess our own sin…
I ponder and pray John 8:7: “Let anyone who is without sin cast the first stone.” Yes, I understand that sin needs to be exposed (Ephesians 5:11). We can simultaneously hold two biblical truths: expose sin, but never from a heart attitude of moral superiority.
This is why I also ponder and pray Galatians 6:1 about restoring a brother or sister gently while we watch ourselves—or we may also be tempted. None of us is above a major moral failing. We should pray, “Lord, as this brother or sister is restored, please empower me to guard my heart, to repent of sin, and to cling dependently to Your Spirit moment by moment.”
Join the Conversation
Who else could we pray for when a Christian leader falls?
What else could we be praying when a Christian leader falls?
Of these seven people to pray for, which ones strike you as most important? Why?
How would our overall Christian witness be impacted after the fall of a Christian leader if we first went to prayer before we went to social media?
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