Ephesians 6 - "You Say"

Saturday nights amaze me. God amazes me. I love how He has me pray for pastors on Saturday nights. I prayed before going to sleep for pastors who were filling the pulpit today. I prayed for Pastor Brenda who was going to be with our congregation to be blessed in abundance. During the night God woke me up once to pray for a pastor who was feeling overwhelmed with the way God was blessing him and his congregation. He is struggling with feeling unworthy. God had me pray for him to accept the blessings being given to them. He also had me pray for pastors with multiple services to rely on His strength not their own. He had me pray specifically for John Mulphas. He brought Mike Dennis to my prayers as he and a group prepare for their mission trip to Guatemala. I prayed for those dealing with disease in their bodies to continue to rely on His strength; those with family members with disease to know He is there with them; and those struggling with issues such as finances, pornography, marital issues, having a prodigal child, and discouraged to know He is the One to focus upon. He had me pray for my pastor to not feel like throwing in the towel but instead to wipe the sweat off his brow and continue on just as he said in his sermon a couple weeks ago. I thought I was done praying but then He had me pray for all of the people in congregations to realize He has given them their pastor to love and support. He had me pray for congregations that were struggling in their relationship with their pastor to look to Him for answers. He told me to pray specifically for those "congregations and pastors who would soon be parting ways." He also had me pray for congregations who were "looking to the pastor as their Savior" instead of Him. His final words to me was to pray for more people to not only read but to live Ephesians 6. I assumed He meant putting on the full armor of God but then He told me to read the whole chapter. He said every verse is needed today.

• verses 1-3 - Children obey your parents...we see children every day not following these words. Disrespect is not being taught in many homes today which saddens my heart. I don't believe parents realize they are not doing their children any favors by allowing them to run the home.
• verse 4 - Fathers are to lead their children down the path of not only knowing God but living for Him. This is another area in today's society that many are lacking in. In our county, ninety-five percent of children do not go to church. That statistic is staggering but it also reflects upon the issues we are seeing with families.
• verses 5-9 - We must not put our work before God. There are so many people who have to work on Sundays to provide for their families. We cannot allow our work to take the place of God. If we work on Sundays, then we need to find an alternative to worship with our family. He must be first in every aspect of our life.
• verses 10-18 - Put on the full armor of God daily to live as He desires. The enemy is out to destroy but when we are prepared for the battle we will win in God's strength. It takes putting on daily: the helmet of salvation, breastplate of righteousness, belt of truth, sword of the Spirit, shield of truth, and the shoes of peace. It also takes prayer.

Paul's words to the Ephesians are words for us today. I am praying this morning for more people to read and grasp these words. I am praying for changes in people's lives which in turn will change congregations all around the world.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the privilege to pray for pastors, their families, and their congregations throughout the night and again this morning. Thank You for Ephesians 6 that blesses me so greatly. Father, may I adhere to these words daily. I pray for a cleansing in my spirit so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. I pray for You to be my words, actions, and attitude throughout this day. May You be greater Lord, may You be greater. Thank You for going before us today and giving us safety as we travel. Lord, soothe my hurting heart with the disappointments from this trip. Thank You for being My Protector. Amen.