Pray for the Pastor’s Children

June 4, 2010 at 12:36 pm | Posted in prayer | Leave a comment
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Here is a subject that is near and dear to my heart. I was not raised in a pastor’s home but my sons were. The spiritual warfare around a pastor’s kids is every bit as real as the spiritual warfare around the pastor of a local church. The expectations for those kids can be unrealistically high at times. They do get judged differently than other kids. They are expected to behave better than most other kids in church. Sometimes that just comes with the territory.

But a dad who is a pastor can still love, support, communicate and discipline in a Biblical way that is not based on worldly higher expectations. That consistent love in both words and deeds toward the children can make all the difference in the world in helping the kids go through the expectations placed upon them by others. What is really good is that the children can grow through the unbiblical and unrealistic expectations of others because of their confidence in the love of their father.

Pastor’s kids can grow through unfair and unrealistic expectations and become successful, victorious adults. They can learn to be responsible for their attitudes and behaviors in spite of how others treat them or their parents. They can become “more than conquerors through Him who loves them.” But they still need prayer. Maybe our intercessory prayers will help them more than we can imagine. Please take some time and pray for your pastor’s children.

Let’s pray for:

1.      Their dad (the pastor) to love them with God’s help

2.      Their dad to pray for them and with them

3.      Their dad to love their mom and for the kids to see and hear tangible aspects of that love

4.      Their dad to choose to spend quality time with them to get to know them and to teach them about life

5.      Their dad to ask them questions and listen to the answers. This is a big one because I think most pastors like to talk and are not good at listening. For example: Pastor Dad, what is each of your kid’s favorite color? Sandwich? Movie? Book? Toy? You get the idea. Answer quickly without thinking too much. If you don’t know the answers, go back spend some time with your kids and listen to them and pay attention.

6.      Their dad to teach them Bible stories in word and deed

7.      Them to have other adults in the church to love them and support them

8.      Them to have some adults who can act like grandparents (if they live far from extended family)

9.      Them to have good wholesome friendships with saved and unsaved

10.  Them to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior at a young age and live for Him all the days of their lives

11.  Them to want to lead others to Christ and make disciples in their own way and time

12.  Any other way you feel led.

I guarantee that your pastor and his wife would be thrilled and appreciative if they knew you were interceding for their children. They may never know that you are praying, but God does. Your prayers will make a difference. Thanks for praying.

Stay faithful and hopeful,

Bill (a fellow-laborer)

Romans 15:13; Isaiah 50:7

“Fathering is unpredictable, untidy and frequently confusing. That is why there are so many fathers who have children, but so few children who have fathers.”

–         Tim Hansel, What Kids Need Most in a Dad

_____________________________________________

“Wherein you reprove another be unblamable yourself, for example is more prevalent than precept.”

–         George Washington, The Rules of Civility

Learn To Tell Jesus

March 1, 2010 at 2:44 pm | Posted in cross-cultural, hymns, ordination | Leave a comment
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Yesterday evening my wife and were able to attend the ordination service of a young man preparing to go into a Chaplain’s ministry. We were invited by the pastor’s wife. My wife and she are friends. This was a cross-cultural experience because the church is a Korean church. The entire service is in Korean. My wife and I know very little Korean beyond a few simple phrases. The good thing is that the people like us and we like them. It makes crossing cultures so much easier.

The ordination service was different from most American ordination services that I have either attended or been a part of. It was not that long and I would say it was very traditional. There are great musicians and singers in that church so the music is always very good. One song that was played by the pianist during prayer was, “I Know Whom I Have Believed”. It was one of my grandmother’s favorite songs and always reminds me of her when I hear it.  In my mind I can see her with her hand up in the air singing to Jesus. Another one I really enjoyed singing was, “I Must Tell Jesus.”

There was a great quote on the cover of the bulletin also. It was called the Pastor’s Creed:

“I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me!”

– Martyred Pastor

I hope that quote is as encouraging and motivating to you as it is to me. Ask yourself, like I asked myself, “does that quote describe me and my life?” I ask myself regularly if I am totally surrendered to Jesus. Is He increasing and am I decreasing? What gain or accomplishment here can honestly compare with knowing Jesus and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings? – Philippians 3:10.

Some of my advice to any man preparing to be a pastor would simply be this: know the Word, study the Word, preach the Word, teach the Word, trust the Word, pray the Word and live the Word! You can know yourself, your community, your church, your culture, and you must, but you had better know the Word! Fight the good fight! Even when you are tired, discouraged, hungry or wounded, press on anyway! Others have fought the good fight before our time has come and others will fight the good fight after our time is over.

My other advice to any man preparing to pastor would be this: learn to pray and get someone to pray with you and get someone to pray for you. We cannot get too much prayer cover. We must learn to pray when we are healthy or sick, happy or sad, up or down, clear or confused, even when our hearts are full of joy or when they are broken and we’re sick to our stomach. We must practice consistently “casting all our cares on the Lord because He cares for us” – 1 Peter 5:7. Learn to tell Jesus, because He really does care.

God bless you as you serve Him,

Bill (a fellow-laborer)

Romans 15:13; Psalm 21:6

“I Must Tell Jesus”

by Elisha Hoffman

Verse 1:
I must tell Jesus all of my trials,
I cannot bear these burdens alone;
in my distress He kindly will help me,
He ever loves and cares for His own.

Chorus:
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone;
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.

Verse 2:
I must tell Jesus all of my troubles,
He is a kind, compassionate friend;
if I but ask Him, He will deliver,
make of my troubles quickly an end.

Chorus

Verse 3:
Tempted and tried, I need a great Savior,
One who can help my burdens to bear;
I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus;
He all my cares and sorrows will share.

Chorus

Verse 4:
O how the world to evil allures me!
O how my heart is tempted to sin!
I must tell Jesus, and He will help me
over the world the victory to win.

Pray for Our President and His Family

February 12, 2010 at 4:26 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment
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“(1) I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – (2) for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. (3) This is good, and pleases God our Savior, (4) who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (5) For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, (6) who gave Himself for all men – the testimony given in its proper time. (1 Timothy 2:1-6 NIV)

When was the last time you prayed for our president and his family? They need our prayers. I am not going to rant or take sides politically right now. If for nothing else than respect for the office of president, let’s pray for him and his wife and his children. Most of us will never meet him, but we can pray for him. We’ll never meet his wife or children, but we can pray for them.

There are enough people criticizing him and his decisions. There is a place and time for that. There are enough people hoping to vote him out of office during the next election. Like him and his agenda or not, Jehovah God has allowed him to be the president of the United States of America. Almighty God raises up and He lowers down whom He wants to. We need to show the president some respect and pray for him.

Pray that:

  1. He, his wife and children will come to a personal relationship with Jesus as Lord and Savior if they don’t now have that.
  2. He and his family will be protected from violence and harm.
  3. He and his family will be healthy and safe both physically and emotionally.
  4. He will be a loving husband and father.
  5. He will think clearly and make the right decision and not a politically correct decision.
  6. He will be a man of integrity, truthfulness, honor and courage.
  7. His closest advisors will come to know Christ as Lord and Savior.
  8. He will get godly counsel and follow it and that ungodly counsel will be thwarted.

He may never know we pray, but God does. Our God is an awesome God! Let’s pray according to Scripture like He is. Thank you for praying.

Be encouraged,

Bill   (Romans 15:13; Psalm 5:11-12)

 Awesome God

by Rich Mullins

Our God is an awesome God

He reigns from heaven above

With wisdom, power, and love

Our God is an awesome God

Pray for the Pastor’s Wife

February 5, 2010 at 2:40 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment
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This Friday I would like to encourage everyone to pray for their pastor’s wife. I am not thinking of any pastor or pastor’s wife in particular. I am thinking that the pastor’s wife can be a tired lady. She may also be discouraged and lonely. Some women marry men who are pastors or who are studying to be pastors. Some men are called into the ministry after being married and the wife becomes a pastor’s wife. These are some of the reasons why we will pray this way this Friday.

Another reason a pastor’s wife may need prayer are expectations some church members may put on her. Some people think they know what a pastor’s wife should be doing in the church without getting to know her. Sometimes she isn’t accepted just for who she is. She may not know how to play the piano. So let’s pray for the pastor’s help-mate. Oh, if you’re a pastor, pray for some other pastor’s wife and trust God to raise up someone to pray for your wife.

Pray that:

  1. She will have wisdom and discernment in dealing with parishoners.
  2. She will have a good or a couple of good close friends.
  3. She will respect her husband privately and publically.
  4. She will be able to know who she is and like how God made her.
  5. She will have a close relationship with the Lord and know His presence.
  6. She will have the joy of the Lord in her life.
  7. She will serve in the church in the power of the Holy Spirit.
  8. She will love people and be friendly.

There may be other ways to pray for her too. Each woman may have different needs and be at differnent stages in life. This prayer guide is in no way exhaustive, but it is a good starting point. Thank you for praying for these important sisters in the Lord. I’ll leave you with a great Scripture and great song to take you into your weekend.

Much grace and peace to you,

Bill (a fellow-laborer)

(Romans 15:13; Psalm 16:11)

John 1:14

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.”

“Fairest Lord Jesus”

From Munster Gesangbuch, 1677

1. Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all nature,

Son of God and Son of Man!

Thee will I cherish, thee will I honor,

Thou, my soul’s glory, joy, and crown.

2. Fair are the meadows, fair are the woodlawns,

Robed in the blooming garb of spring:

Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,

Who makes the woeful heart to sing. 

3. Fair is the sunshine, fair is the moonlight,

And all the twinkling, starry host:

Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer

Than all the angels heav’n can boast. 

4. Beautiful Savior! Lord of the nations!

Son of God and Son of Man!

Glory and honor, praise, adoration,

Now and forever more be thine.

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