THE HURTING PASTOR
"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!"
Isaiah 52:7 (King James Version)
In the last six years, I have received several emails from pastors who were hurting. One pastor wrote "I am very discouraged because I don't think I am being effective in reaching the people in my congregation". It is very important that we pray for our pastors and their families. They hurt just like we do.
Joyce Landorf Heatherley, a Christian speaker and author, said on one of her teaching tapes, "Men and women are leaving full time ministry in droves because we haven't encouraged them. We have impressed them with our spirituality and just knocked a hole in their relationship with God and with others."
When is the last time you stayed up all night and cried out to God with tears in your eyes and asked Him to please strengthen, comfort and encourage your pastor? Why is it that we can stay up all night watching movies but we are too sleepy to stay up all night and pray?
Heavenly Father, please have mercy on us and forgive us for not praying like we should for our pastors and their families. I pray that You would encourage, strengthen and comfort every pastor. Help pastors to realize that You love them very much and You appreciate their service to You. Amen.
Joanne Lowe
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