Before falling asleep last night I prayed for pastors who would be preaching this morning to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Throughout the night I prayed for pastors to say what the Lord desired of them. One time I woke up He had me pray for five specific pastors. Doc, Junior, John Mulphas, Terry Weyman, and Mike Dennis. I don't think I have ever had Him give me a group to pray for before such as this. Tiny church bodies to large church bodies are represented in this group. These pastors are from both Ohio and South Carolina. There is Nazarene, Baptist, and Christian Church among this group. No matter what His reasoning, I was obedient in praying for them. I know some have health issues going on but I don't know anything specific about each of them. I do know they are men of God who desire to walk in obedience to Him. I also know as pastors they are on an emotional roller coaster as they live life with others. They are there for the births just as they are there for the deaths. They are there praying for marriages to be restored as they watch them crumble. Being with families with members who are dealing with disease is so hard emotionally. It is hard to 'turn off' what you do every day but it is necessary for everyone to make time for themselves and their families. If they don't, life will be very difficult. The next time I woke He had me pray for a Children's Pastor to have their eyes open to a child being abused. When I asked Him if this was coming from Him He said, "Yes, Daughter. They must protect this little one by reporting it." The next time I woke He had me pray for a pastor in the middle of marriage counseling with a couple. He told me to pray that "he would stop so the truth would be revealed." The last time I awoke He had me praying for a man who is not pastoring right now. This man is going through some serious health issues. He also is dealing with pornography. The Lord had me pray for him "to be open once again to my will." When I got up, I thought about what a night it had been of praying. I also thought about the song the Lord had going through my mind every time I woke up...
Mountain high or valley low
I sing out, remind my soul
I am Yours, I am forever Yours
I looked up the song and found these words of comfort that everyone but especially pastors need to remember...
If my heart is overwhelmed and I cannot hear Your voice
I'll hold on to what is true though I cannot see
If the storms of life they come and the road ahead gets steep
I will lift these hands in faith, I will believe
When my heart is filled with hope, when every promise comes my way
When I feel Your hands of grace rest upon me
Staying desperate for You God, staying humbled at Your feet
I will lift these and praise, I will believe
Yes! We must stay close in our relationship with God. He will be our strength. He will empower us over the difficulties of life when we walk in obedience to Him. He will love on us in ways no one else can. He will instruct us so we will know what to do and when to do it. He will be exactly what we need when we stay desperate for Him. We must have faith and believe so He can do miraculous things in and through us.
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for being such an encouragement to me. Thank You for loving me so much that You use me to be an intercessory warrior. Father, once again I pray for pastors. I pray for the ones who preached last night and the ones who will preach today. May all be an instrument of proclamation to the Good News. Lord, I pray for those who are on the 'mountain high' and for those in the 'valley low' to feel Your empowerment. Father, cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing so people will see/hear You through my words, actions, and attitude. Give physical strength to those who are suffering. I pray for mental and emotional strength for those whose tank is running on empty. I pray for financial strength for those who are struggling to pay their bills. Most of all I pray for spiritual strength for all. Thank You Jesus for being Mine. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment