Praying for Pastors

I am a blessed pastor. My church has been praying for me. In fact, I almost hate to admit that I feel so much better because I don't want to the prayers to stop. I say that in jest, only because I know my members are faithful to pray for me on a regular basis.

Several years ago, I found the following at the web site of a church known for its prayer ministry. I share it with you because whether or not you go to my church, you have a pastor who needs prayer - but ESPECIALLY if you go to my church!

I have several friends who are pastors and I am committing to pray this for them as well. Let me challenge you to pray in this manner for your pastor and staff and watch what God does in response to your faithfulness in prayer.


THESE ARE 15 WAYS THAT WE ENCOURAGE OUR MEMBERS TO PRAY FOR OUR STAFF

At our church, we feel it is very important that we build our church upon a foundation of prayer. Below are 15 ways that we have committed to pray for our pastor and staff.

1. Father, keep my pastor and staff from remaining discouraged.
   
2. Father, help my pastor and staff to function under the high pressure and stress of their job.
   
3. Father, help my pastor and staff to put their families ahead of their profession.
   
4. Father, help my pastor and staff to be patient with people who have unrealistic expectations.
   
5. Father, comfort my pastor and staff when they feel socially isolated.
   
6. Father, protect my pastor and staff from the relentless attacks of Satan. (We consider this one to be very important and ask that you pray this prayer each day.)
   
7. Father, provide for the financial needs of my pastor and staff and their families.
   
8. Father, prevent my pastor and staff from becoming withdrawn.
   
9. Father, help my pastor and staff to spiritually discern their enemies inside and outside the church.
   
10. Father, grant my pastor and staff strong time-management skills.
    
11. Father, help my pastor and staff to base their self-image on what You say about them, instead of what people say about them.
    
12. Father, keep my pastor and staff from becoming jealous of or competitive with other pastors and staffs.
    
13. Father, help my pastor and staff to establish and keep a daily quiet time.
    
14. Father, provide strength and quality time for my pastor's and staff's spouses and children.
    
15. Father, help my pastor and staff forgive those who mistreat and unjustly criticize them.
    

That’s Not How It Was Supposed to Go

Gall bladder surgery that is. Several people who had experienced the surgery shared their stories with me and I thought I knew what to expect. I formulated my scenario and knew how it would go. I was would have it taken out on Wednesday, be out of it all day Thursday, feel bad Friday, begin to feel much better on Saturday, back in church on Sunday and back in the office on Monday. NOT!

Unplanned side effects, more intense pain and discomfort than anticipated, and honestly, unrealistic expectations on my part all set me up for great disappointment. However, as I recovered enough to consider all this I learned some serious lessons.

However, I think the most important lesson I learned is the inestimable value of people of people praying for others. I love to pray, I pray always and often, but from Wednesday morning around 7:00 a.m. until sometime Sunday morning I COULD NOT pray. Part of that time, I was anesthetized, part of that time I was heavily sedated, and sadly, part of that time I just could not bring myself to pray. The pain was too great, sometimes physically, sometimes emotionally.

Fortunately, I had others praying on my behalf, and I felt those prayers. I cannot express how touched I am by the number of people who called, emailed, texted, sent Facebook messages, and/or came by the hospital to visit. I knew my family would be there, and I knew that my friends all lived away and couldn't be there, but two groups absolutely showered me and my family with love and support – my colleagues – other pastors and ministers here in Tift County, and my church family. I am so blessed.

During the recovery time, the blessing has continued. Cards, visits, phone calls, messages, and emails all remind me of the army of people praying me back to strength. In fact, on Saturday, one of our church members facing a far more serious battle than mine called to encourage me and to let me know of her prayers on my behalf. When I hung up the phone, I wept.

I want to encourage you to do two things. First, gather around yourself a group of people who will pray for you on a regular basis, even when you haven't asked them to pray. Secondly, join someone else's pray team. Commit to praying regularly for others around you – even if they haven't asked you to pray. No one can measure the value of praying friends.

Let close by saying, "Thank you" to everyone who has encouraged my family and me so much this week. Even more than the practical help you provided, you demonstrated a valuable object lesson in true Christian community. We love you.

Blah, Blah, Blah

I have a custom that I engage many days; I read a chapter in the book of Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. For instance, today I read Proverbs 18. That chapter has no less than 10 verses that caution us about the use of words. Below are just a few with my emphasis added.

The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the wellspring of wisdom of wisdom is a flowing brook. – vs. 4

In other words, whatever is deep down in our heart usually springs up through our mouths. Let's hope it springs up words of wisdom into a flowing brook.

A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. – vs. 7

How many people have been brought down more by what they said than what they did? How many of us have experienced the problems our mouths can produce?

He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him. – vs. 13

God gave us TWO ears and ONE mouth. Could it be He expects is to listen twice as much as we speak?

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. – vs. 21

Sweet fruit or sour, we all wind up eating our words.

However, one that struck me most this morning was verse 2:

A fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart.

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you were so intent on saying what you wanted to say that you weren't listening to what others were saying? For those of you who have never done that (or who are two prideful to admit it), take it from one with experience . . . it can lead to some embarrassing situations. In his book Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Steven Covey sets out this principle in Habit #5 – Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood.

Our words are powerful . . . oh, that God would help us learn to use our powers for good and not for evil.

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt . . . Colossians 4:6a

God, help us with our words. Help us to say the right things, the right way, and at the right time. And while you are helping us, Lord, help us to know when not to say anything.

A Little Straight Talk to Guys

I am sorting through a plethora of emotions. I am angry, sad, hurt, and disillusioned all at the same time. Because I have always been a sports fan, I tend to hold certain sports figures in high regard. One of those whom I esteemed has disappointed me terribly.

Rick Pitino is the men's basketball coach at the University of Louisville. I have admired his coaching style and leadership ability since his days as head coach at Providence College. Rick coaches an aggressive style of basketball and always seems to get the most out of his players. He always challenges his players to demonstrate character on and off the court.

However, recent events that have become known reveal a Rick Pitino that doesn't practice what he preaches. I'll not go into details of his turpitude, you can find them anywhere on the web right now. Suffice it to say, this married man impregnated a young woman on a one-night fling, then rather than owning up and taking responsibility for his actions, he gave the woman a paltry sum of money so she could have an abortion. So much for character. Cover one sin by committing another. It doesn't work. Ask King David.

Allow me if you will to use this forum to sort through my feelings and to address the men who read this blog. Ladies, you may keep reading if you like, or you can with one click move to something more feminine.

First, men, let me caution you to be careful whom you idolize. We are all fallible men on this side of the pearly gates. There is only ONE who is worthy of our worship and adoration, and His name is Jesus. (Philippians 2:9-11; Revelation 4:8-11)

Second, sex outside of marriage is sin. Society may attempt to legitimize it, others may try to rationalize it, but God calls it sin and so should we. If you are not married, abstain until you are. If you are married, be faithful – in body AND mind – to your bride. Rick Pitino apologized for what he called an "indiscretion." Adultery is not an indiscretion; it is sin and we should treat it as such. (Galatians 5:19)

Additionally, do not put yourself in a position to be tempted to be unfaithful. Guys, we know better. An affair is not a matter of ignorance; we know what we are doing. Just DON'T GO THERE. Do not encourage any kind of improper attachment to a woman at all. Don't think it won't happen to you. Pride goes before a fall. We are all capable of falling, that is why we need to be careful not put ourselves in "harm's way." (Galatians 6:7-8)

Finally, when you do sin, own up to it. Don't try to hide it. We can become masters of lying, rationalization, and fabrication, but none of those addresses what sin does to us. Own up to your sin, confess it, repent of it, forsake it, and make restitution when possible. David tried to cover up his sin with Bathsheba and he made matters worse. He ordered the murder of her husband and he experienced God's "silent treatment." The bible encourages us to be honest about our sin – to confess it and let the grace of God through the blood of Christ cleanse us so that we can "go and sin no more." (Psalm 32:1-5; 1 John 1:5 – 2:2)

Men, we live in dangerous and difficult days. Culture bombards us from every possible direction to weaken our defense and satan attacks when we are most vulnerable. Be on guard. Be prepared. Walk closely with God and keep close accounts with sin. (1 Peter 5:8-9)

Surviving MRIs and Other Tight Squeezes

Now I know how it feels to be toothpaste. I survived my first ever MRI today. Fortunately, several friends took the time to prepare me for the ordeal and I was confident as I slipped into my hospital gown and robe and hopped up on the table.

One of the best bits of advice I received was to ask for a cloth over my eyes as a blindfold so that I would not realize the close proximity of my snout to the top of the tube. That turned out to be some good advice right there!

I had already decided to employ one of my favorite meditation techniques that has served me well over the years – I call it Alphabetical Bible Verses. I have committed at least one Bible verse to memory that begins with successive letters of the alphabet.

A – And we know that all things work together for good to those that love God, to those who are
the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

B – But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The
chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

C – Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. (Psalm 37:5)

D – Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)

And so on, you get the picture. The plan is to work through the alphabet remembering the verse, meditating on its meaning and praying toward its application.

After making it through the alphabet, I had a little time left in the tank, so I used the alphabet as a prayer guide. First, I prayed for Andrea, my wife. Then I prayed for Bekah, my daughter. She began first grade today and she was not excited about getting back into the school routine. Since I was on B, I also prayed for Mrs. Bailey, Bekah's teacher. As if she doesn't have enough challenges in her life, NOW she has Bekah for a student. She REALLY needs prayer.

When I got to C, I prayed for our church. We have some wonderful people, and I took some time to thank God for my church family, for the love they have shown me. I also prayed for some of the issues we face in our church as we search for staff, and I prayed earnestly for revival.

During the "C" portion of my prayer, my time was up. All in all, I found the MRI to be a pleasant experience, kind of relaxing. I probably could have enjoyed it more were it not for the aggravating voice telling me when to breathe, when to hold my breath, and when to breathe again, and for the annoying sounds created by the magnets moving about the "Tube o' Fun."

I share this with you to encourage you to face any anxious moments in your life by proactively and intentionally focusing on God. Meditating on Him takes our minds off our circumstances and focuses us on the ONE who is more than able to bring us through the circumstances we face. After all, that is what God promised when He said,

You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You. – Isaiah 26:3

Oh, and I know what you are thinking. . . . when I get to "X" I take a little creator's license:

EXcept the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. – Psalm 127:1

Over Easy

I discovered something about myself these last few days…I like things easy. One of my favorite Eagles' songs is Take It Easy. I even like my eggs over easy.

But the easy that is the big problem is "spiritual easy." I want things always to be easy and I want never to have trouble. (Hmm. Now that I have typed that out is seems SO unreasonable. Go figure!) But God showed me something tonight that I needed to learn. It is IN the trials that my faith grows. Consider 1 Peter 1:6-7,

In this rejoice, though now for a short time you have had to be distressed by various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith – more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire – may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

My faith is not good if it is only theoretical and not practical. My faith is empty until tested, and each test serves to strengthen my faith rather than weakening it. Faith never used is not really faith at all. Faith is not static, waiting to be used; it is dynamic, ready to be applied to everyday life.

Then again in James 1:2-4,

Consider it great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

My trials are part of a process of maturity. It is only through the experience of trials that I build up spiritual stamina and learn to hang on trusting God all the while.

Yes, I face some challenges right now in many ways, but these challenges will benefit me in the long run. I will learn to trust God, and my faith will emerge stronger in the end. After all, as Peter wrote, my faith is more valuable than gold.

If I always have it easy, I will never grow; but every day that I successfully face a challenge, I get stronger in my faith. This truth reminds me of a verse of an Andrae Crouch song,

I thank God for the mountains,
I thank God for the valleys,
I thank God for the storms He's brought me through.
If I never had a problem,
I'd never know that He could solve them,
I'd never know what faith in God can do.

We have a choice when we face trials in life: will we endure and trust God or will be cower and grovel and never grow? I am choosing the first option. After all, NO PAIN, NO GAIN.

Can I still have my eggs over easy?