Prayers for Our City: June 26, 2017 – Pastors
“He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength…” Ps. 23:2-3
Today we lift up the pastors of Huntsville/Madison County. That’s quite a few men and women! So thankful that You know and love each one intimately, Father. Since this is summer vacation season, we are asking that You see to it that our pastors have opportunities for refreshing and restoration. We pray for fun, memory-making moments with their family and friends.
We ask You to create those precious moments for our pastors to be transported away with You into the secret, quiet place of peaceful communion. May our pastors be able to lay down their agenda to receive ministry from You! Help each church family be sensitive to the need their pastor has to be renewed physically, emotionally and spiritually. May our pastors be able to “Shepherd the flock of God among you….casting all your care upon Him for He cares for you.” (I Peter 5:2, 7)
We bless our pastors with joy, peace, and victory in ministry in spite of difficulties, pressures, life circumstances and “ornery sheep”. (Phil. 4:6-8) Keep them true to their God-given purpose in ministry and help them guard and prioritize their time. (I Cor. 15:58)
We speak over our Shepherds the words of Hebrews 13:20-21 that they have used to bless us many times. We ask You, God of Peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, strengthen my pastor(s) in every good work to do Your will. Work in them that which is pleasing in Your sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Encourage your pastor(s) by letting them know
many are praying for them today!
Ode To Our Pastor
(Picture Your Pastor in the Question mark above)
Dear Pastors,
Have we told you lately that we love you?
Well, we do!
Thank you for listening to our problems and pointing us to God.
Thank you for your humility and the grace that you dispense.
Thank you for sharing your weakness and helping us see ours in the light of Christ.
Thank you for the youth retreats, conferences, lock-ins;
Thank you for premarital counseling and weddings;
Thank you for hospital visits and graveside lingering.
Thank you for the hours you spend with The Lord preparing messages to share That Jesus with those He draws to himself.
Thank you for not “telling” us your strengths but for living a life dependent on the strength of the Lord.
Thank you for answering the phone when you can and for making calls in response to Holy Spirit nudges.
Thank you for “soaking in the Spirit”, for we have reaped the benefits of those personal conversations.
…
Thank you for your patience, with all of us who grumble.
Thank you for your open arms, even when we stumble.
Thank you for focusing on the Gospel and not theological debate.
Thank you for agape love and not stirring up the hate.
Thank you for your kindness, when we have felt such shame.
Thank you for apologies, when you forgot a name.
Thank you for your leadership, lived out upon your knees.
And thank you for interceding for our desperate pleas.
Thank you for transparency and for showing us what it look likes to put God and family first.
You pointed us to Christ alone,
And loved us at our worst.
A pedestal you’ve never wanted and you never asked for fame.
You’ve taken hits and unkind words, refining by the flame.
You give out grace and don’t hold grudges to magnify HIS Name.
The big-C Church has your heart and you’re committed to the Bride.
Your heart is set on unity, not issues that divide.
You make mistakes and get back up;
you never justify.
You model for us childlike faith,
Cuddled up to “THE WHO,”
Not focused on “The Why.”
You do not water down the Truth and your opinion takes backseat.
We see you search the Scriptures and we join you at HIS FEET!
Your posture, heart and countenance are soft and pull us in.
No matter how far we’ve wandered,
You show us we can always come back again.
Our list of gratitude is endless and sincere.
You have Christened and you baptized but most importantly shown us Christ is here.
The calling is not for everyone but your obedience changes lives.
I know “not you” but “Christ in you”,
helped open up my eyes.
Forgive us for the times, we may have judged your heart.
The enemy loves it when we pick each other apart.
Let’s call a truce and cut the noose.
Satan has not won.
The gates of hell will not prevail against the church,
“It’s Done!”
For now we’ll end on one last note,
A God arrow you have been.
Heaven overflows with souls,
As you lay your life down for friends.
Author~Katie Wilson
Leave a Reply