I would like to take this opportunity to encourage you to pray for the people of Haiti. Many times we underestimate the power of prayer. But I know a lot of you are prayer warriors. You are continually lifting up the concerns of the church, the issues of our government, the lost in our communities and the needs of God’s people. Prayer is critical to the life of a believer.
Many of you have asked me from time to time, “How can we pray for you and Lynn”? Sometimes it’s hard for me to come up with something right of the bat. At other times, if I really were to enumerate all that you could pray for, we’d be talking for a few hours. So, I thought I might offer some suggestions for prayer to those of you that keep our family lifted up. I hope this doesn’t come across as self-serving; that’s certainly not my intent. But I do covet your prayers. The first thing you can pray about is...
1. My Walk With God – Pray that my relationship with Jesus is not something that becomes dull or routine. Pray that He will remain my obsession and my walk with Him is fresh and passionate more than ever. Secondly...
2. My Integrity – Pray that I will keep my eyes on Jesus and OFF of anything that might lead me astray!!! Like you, I have doubts; I have fears; I have struggles. I need God’s power to stay strong.
3. Our Marriage – Pray that I do more than talk about a healthy marriage. Pray that I live what I preach. There is no doubt that one of the areas Satan tries to destroy in my life is mine and Lynn’s marriage. Also lift our children – Jessica and Hunter.
4. My Sanity – Every week – sometimes every day – I deal with critics. It’s amazing how people like to come after the pastor sometimes. I have to address unrealistic expectations, accusations, pressure and stress, just to mention a few. Pray that in the midst of the battle, I will keep my sanity and continue on. Only 10% of the men that become pastors will retire as pastors. That means 90% drop out or get run off.
5. My Health – Good health is critical for ministry…and I can promise you that physical, emotional and spiritual health do not just “happen!” I feel like I have aged 25 years in the past 9 years. I’ve had to deal with high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart palpitations, extreme stress, PTSD, and a whole host of other challenges. Do not assume that just because I look healthy that I am. Please keep my health in your prayers.
I ask you to pray for these things whenever you think about me. Even if you’re reading this and you don’t like me very much, please ask Christ to speak to me and thru me in ways He has never done before.
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