“For many are invited but few are chosen” - Mat 22:14 (NIV).
The pastoral ministry is one of the most demanding there is. Immediately by its nature and force, because it rises against the kingdom of Satan, the enemy is not asleep and seeks to fight it ever. He is ever moving to and fro, fighting back, to weaken it, if not deny it of all its powers and render it impotent.
Pastors are not just immune to the challenges Christians ordinarily encounter in life but perhaps face them even more severely. They face challenges at the pulpit with often restless congregations. They face challenges back in their homes too, encountering rebellion. Almost everyone has seen Pastors children who have gone astray. Their marriages are not spared of mischief. Many pastors struggle to make ends meet.
For this reason, let us always remember the pastoral ministry always in our prayers. Let us not too be hard on our pastors. Let us remember to support the work of the church which pay Pastors. Let us pray that God may empower those called to serve God that they may do well and stay true to His precious calling.
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Prayer for today: Lord Father in heaven today I pray for all those whom you have called to the pastoral ministry that you do protect and empower them to serve you mightily to the end.
Related upcoming events
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28/04/2024 - 29/04/2024 All day"The Lord is my shepherd!" (Psalm 23:1)
Psalm 23 of David is perhaps one of the best prayers ever written, with nuggets and inspirations, of benefit to us since and
ever before. “The LORD is my shepherd, “David begins.” I lack nothing” (vv 1). What is it that you lack? In his life David had started out as a shepherd, and he knew very well, that a shepherd’s job is to watch over his sheep, feed and water them, and since the Lord is our shepherd, we his sheep shall lack nothing.Verse 2 -3 says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” This exactly what a good shepherd does; he takes his sheep to the best fodder, ensuring that his sheep are well fed and rested. When the sheep are restless the good shepherd is troubled. Our God desires and is pleased when we are at peace.
Sometimes we may all find ourselves going through a storm. In Verse 4- 5, David says, "Even though I walk through the darkest valley I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” The Christian life is not without difficulties, but here David points us to God as our comforter and deliverer. We always have the staff of prayer to lean on.
In Verse 5, he writes, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” In his tumultuous life, David had to battle with many enemies, ranging from King Saul, to foreigners and members of his own family. He knew a lot about betrayal. And, we too, may face enemies no less, from those that oppose us in our workplace for their ambition’s sake, to those who are not pleased because of the Gospel we preach. Yet here, just as David, we are assured that victory is on our side- this is why our cup overflows.
“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (vv 6). The one who walks with God has a fresh smile ever, for God is with him. The blessings of God are with him wherever he goes.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham,
maker of heaven and earth, as David prayed in Psalm 23, may I not be troubled, for you are my shepherd ever watching over me and your goodness goes ahead of me!
