"Ever since I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God's people, I have not stopped giving thanks to God for you. I remember you in my prayers." (Ephesians 1:15-16) In almost every one of Paul's letters to churches he tells them he is praying for them. Carrying the weaknesses and sins of the people before the Lord can be a burden, but it is a God-given burden (2 Corinthians 11:28-29). If a person has been called by God to be a spiritual leader, that person must be praying for the flock. A person who is not ready to carry that responsibility should not be in leadership in the church.
But it is also true that in Paul's letters to churches he usually asks them to pray for him. If it is the responsibility of the leader to pray for the flock, it is no less the responsibility of the people to be praying for their leaders. This is not just the calling of a few members who have a burden to pray; it is the job of every person in the flock.
It is not unusual to hear believers complaining about the leadership: They don't do this right, they fail to do that. I suspect that this is one area where we actually get what we pray for (and don't get what we don't pray for). If we have not taken time to pray for our leaders, we have no right to criticize them.
"We have placed our hope in him that he will save us again, as you help us by means of your prayers for us. So it will be that the many prayers for us will be answered, and God will bless us; and many will raise their voices to him in thanksgiving for us." (2 Corinthians 1:10-11)
- 16 MARCH -