A Preachers Prayer
I don’t want to be just another guest speaker or give just another sermon. I want to “carry the goods” and actually deliver them. To see the grace and presence of God that actually makes a difference in the lives of those to whom I speak. Take note of the confidence and great expectations expressed by the Apostle Paul regarding what he knew would happen when he ministered to God’s people.
“For I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessings of the gospel of Christ.” (Romans 15: 29).
What does that mean? It means he carried an anointing of the grace and presence of God that actually imparted something significant and substantive into the lives of those to whom he spoke. He knew that his message would be in the demonstration of the Holy Spirit and power, and not in word only. He “had the goods” and he knew the anointing and presence of the Holy Spirit would make a real difference and change lives wherever he went. The Apostle Paul’s ministry stands in contrast to the typical Sunday morning sermon to which people listen and enjoy, but then leave without real changes in their personal lives and with little to insignificant spiritual growth.
Ezekiel describes this dynamic.
“…They speak to one another, everyone saying to his brother, ‘Please come and hear what the word is that comes from the Lord,’ So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as my people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain. Indeed, you are to them as a lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them.” (Ezekiel 33:30-33).
People enjoy the sermons but do not change or grow…and the ministers are too often satisfied with this.
People enjoy the sermons but do not change or grow…and the ministers are too often satisfied with this.
Inspired by the Apostle Paul’s statement of his confident ministerial expectations, I read through the scripture and made a list of spiritual experiences that should describe God’s ministers. I cry for the Lord to do these things in my life as a preacher and teacher of God’s word. The list is shown below and should be every preacher’s prayer:
1) To go forth in the fullness of the blessings of the Gospel of Christ. Romans 15: 29.
2) To know the Lord. Not superficially, but intimately. 1 Sam 3:7, Ex 33:13, Philip 3:7-10.
3) To have spiritual substance. So that our words are spiritual life and have weight and are not just intellectual fluff. 1 Sam 3: 19-21, Luke 1:8, 2:40, John 6:63.
4) To have the Lord’s Presence. His manifested presence moving among us. John 15:20, Acts 5:32, 7:9-10, Exodus 33:13-16, 34:9.
5) To actually feed the sheep. John 21: 15-17, Acts 20: 28.
6) To equip the saints. Ephesians 4: 11-16.
7. To strengthen the church. Acts 14:22, 15:32,41, 18:23.
8) To impart spiritual gifts. Romans 1: 11
9) To complete what is lacking in the lives of those to whom I minister. 1 Thess 3:10.
10) To walk in the power and anointing of Luke 4:18, Matthew 10:7-9, Acts 19: 11-12, 4:27-33. Salvation, healing, deliverance from evil spirits, supernatural comfort, healing the broken-hearted, sight to the blind, the deaf hear, the lame walk.
11) To stand in the council room. To have prophetic insight and revelation. Zechariah 3:7, Jeremiah 23:18, Prov 29:18..
12) That the word be wheat (to feed), fire (to purge and cleanse), hammer (to break the strongholds of the enemy). That the word not
be chaff. Jer 23:28-29.
13) To have grace and anointing to lay hands on believers and they receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:14-17, Acts 19:6.
This list is by no means complete. But it is a start. How awesome and magnificent would the church be if we as preachers of the gospel would experience and follow the verses quoted above. May the Lord visit us His servants and raise up laborers for the harvest and shepherds for the flock. May He make us vessels unto honor, sanctified, and fit for the Master’s use. ---Billy Long
Comments are welcome. To make a comment, click the "comments" button below.
1) To go forth in the fullness of the blessings of the Gospel of Christ. Romans 15: 29.
2) To know the Lord. Not superficially, but intimately. 1 Sam 3:7, Ex 33:13, Philip 3:7-10.
3) To have spiritual substance. So that our words are spiritual life and have weight and are not just intellectual fluff. 1 Sam 3: 19-21, Luke 1:8, 2:40, John 6:63.
4) To have the Lord’s Presence. His manifested presence moving among us. John 15:20, Acts 5:32, 7:9-10, Exodus 33:13-16, 34:9.
5) To actually feed the sheep. John 21: 15-17, Acts 20: 28.
6) To equip the saints. Ephesians 4: 11-16.
7. To strengthen the church. Acts 14:22, 15:32,41, 18:23.
8) To impart spiritual gifts. Romans 1: 11
9) To complete what is lacking in the lives of those to whom I minister. 1 Thess 3:10.
10) To walk in the power and anointing of Luke 4:18, Matthew 10:7-9, Acts 19: 11-12, 4:27-33. Salvation, healing, deliverance from evil spirits, supernatural comfort, healing the broken-hearted, sight to the blind, the deaf hear, the lame walk.
11) To stand in the council room. To have prophetic insight and revelation. Zechariah 3:7, Jeremiah 23:18, Prov 29:18..
12) That the word be wheat (to feed), fire (to purge and cleanse), hammer (to break the strongholds of the enemy). That the word not
be chaff. Jer 23:28-29.
13) To have grace and anointing to lay hands on believers and they receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:14-17, Acts 19:6.
This list is by no means complete. But it is a start. How awesome and magnificent would the church be if we as preachers of the gospel would experience and follow the verses quoted above. May the Lord visit us His servants and raise up laborers for the harvest and shepherds for the flock. May He make us vessels unto honor, sanctified, and fit for the Master’s use. ---Billy Long
Comments are welcome. To make a comment, click the "comments" button below.
Comments