Take Courage

Pray for Rural Churches and Pastors

My wife and I like to go for drives in the country. We like to pack a lunch and a thermos of coffee and get a map and go. Many times we have no particular destination in mind. We will find somewhere to stop along the way. We especially like historic sites or old bookstores, or just a pullover to enjoy a sight, have lunch and enjoy each other’s company. In fact this past weekend we were able to drive through some of southwestern Ohio’s farm country. We had a great time.

Even though I like driving through or visiting in the country I am not sure I know what rural life is like. For me I think it might be difficult. Ministry in a rural area might be difficult, but there are people there and they need good pastors and good churches. So let’s take some time to pray for rural churches and their pastors this weekend.

Pray that:

1. God would call men and equip them to serve in rural areas.
2. Rural churches without a pastor would earnestly call out to God for Him to send them a faithful shepherd.
3. The pastor would shepherd the people with integrity of heart and skillful hands (Ps. 78:70-72).
4. These churches would support and provide for their pastor and his family.
5. The pastor would love the people and the people would love the pastor.
6. The pastor would preach the Word in the power of the Holy Spirit.
7. The people would listen and grow in the power of the Holy Spirit.
8. The unsaved in the community would be reached and God would add to His church.
9. The pastor and church would be glad for who they are and where they are and not compare themselves with other pastors or churches.

Maybe you know someone who pastors a rural church. Maybe you know a rural church. You could pray for them today. They may not know it, but God will know you prayed. You, and I and the Kingdom of God will be better off because we took time to intercede for some of our brothers and sisters and their Kingdom presence in their communities.

Thanks for praying,

Bill

(Romans 15:13; Isaiah 50:7; Psalm 50:23)

You have longed for sweet peace and for faith to increase,

And have earnestly, fervently prayed;

But you cannot have rest or be perfectly blest

Until all on the altar is laid.

– Hoffman –