6 Fold Prayer Of A Passionate Pastor

As pastors we have to pray for others because that is an intricate part of ministry. Among the timely prayers made for our family, friends and parishioners, one must not neglect to purposefully pray for self. We are not to be like the mechanic who is often reported to drive the shabbiest car because he is too busy fixing everyone’s car that he has no time to repair his own. We must pray for ourselves!

A great man of God was said to have prayed a 6 fold prayer for himself! This man was none other than Oswald J. Smith. Consider what he is said to have prayed for…

6 Fold Personal Prayer List For A Passionate Pastor

#1 – To Be A Victorious Man!

(Joshua 1:8) “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”  (KJV)

#2 – To Be A Spirit-Filled Man!

(Ephesians 5:18) “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”  (KJV)

(Galatians 5:22-23) “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”  (KJV)

#3 – To Be A Man Of Prayer!

(Psalms 91:1) “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”  (KJV)

(Jeremiah 33:3) “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”  (KJV)

#4 – To Be A Man Of The WORD!

(1 Timothy 4:12) “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”  (KJV)

(2 Timothy 2:15) “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”  (KJV)

(James 1:22-25) “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”  (KJV)

#5 – To Be A Surrendered Man!

(Romans 12:1-2) “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”  (KJV)

#6 – To Be A Man Of One Purpose

(Philippians 3:13-15) “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.”  (KJV)

Conclusion

I do not think I could add much more to this list. Certainly, if one would give himself to these 6 axioms of life, then I feel that the Almighty could use them. I challenge everyone who claims to be a preacher to seek after these sacred ingredients of a passionate pastor!

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Would you consider purchasing…

 

29056: Why Revival Tarries Why Revival Tarries

 

By Leonard Ravenhill / Bethany House

 

Leonard Ravenhill’s call to revival is as timely now as it was when first published over forty years ago. The message is fearless and often radical as he expounds on the disparity between the New Testament church and the church today. This book contains the heart of his message, A.W. Tozer called Ravenhill “a man sent from God” who “appeared at (a) critical moment in history,” just as the Old Testament prophets did. Included are questions for group and individual study.

 

 

 

What The Pastor Is NOT!

Every now and then, it is good to be reminded of what a pastor is and is not. What he should be and what he shouldn’t be must be on his mind DAILY! Satan is seeking whom he may devour. Many of God‘s people invite him to the table and they hop on his plate which is seen in the way they conduct their affairs! This a pastor must not do!  This post lists 20 things a pastor should not be! I hope it proves to be of great value to you!

20 Things A Pastor Is NOT!
  1. A Politician To Pull Wires!
  2. A Clown To Simply Amuse!
  3. A Star To Be Gazed At!
  4. A God To Be Worshiped!
  5. A Giant To Do All The Work!
  6. A Magnet To Attract Undue Attention!
  7. A Mat To Be Walked Upon!
  8. A Bookworm To Plague The People!
  9. A Lord To Command The Flock!
  10. A Grafter To Get The Money!
  11. A Maniac To Rant And Snort!
  12. A Skeptic To Deny The TRUTH!
  13. A Hobbyist To Disgust The Folk!
  14. A Sissy To Sicken The World!
  15. A Pharisee – “Holier Than Thou”!
  16. A Publican – Sinful In Life!
  17. A Drone To Seek The “Easy Chair”!
  18. A Bore – A Second-Winded Specie!
  19. A Caterer – Adhering To the Whims Of The Crowd!
  20. A Traitor To Compromise With Error!

The list above was taken from a Booklet entitled, “Riches In Romans” by Rev. Earl Jackson Edwards (Page 78)

482518: Spiritual Discipleship: Principles of Following Christ for Every Believer Spiritual Discipleship: Principles of Following Christ for Every Believer
By J. Oswald Sanders / Moody Publishers

As J. Oswald Sanders points out, true discipleship is more than intellectual assent to a belief in Christ—it involves the whole person and lifestyle.
Those with only a superficial belief will soon fall away from the faith, but Sanders says a true disciple would rather be presented with a difficult challenge than a soft option. Disciples are charged with the task of training themselves to be godly, because it is their responsibility to remain spiritually fit. Ever-fresh topics in this time-tested volume include:

  • the disciple’s second chance
  • the disciple’s ambition
  • the disciple’s senior partner
  • the disciple’s olympics
  • the disciple’s right
  • the disciple’s maturity

In addition, a “For Reflection” guide is included, making this book ideal for both individual and group study.

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The Attitude Of A Pastor

Airbus A380Image via Wikipedia

Anyone familiar with flying an aircraft will state that a fundamental, aeronautical truth is that the ATTITUDE of an airplane will have a direct effect on the ALTITUDE of the plane. “Nose down” means that you are headed towards the Earth. “Nose up” means that you are headed skyward. The ATTITUDE of the nose of the aircraft, as directed by the flaps and rudder, will determine the rate of descent or ascent. In other words, “ATTITUDE DETERMINES ALTITUDE!” Such it is with pastoring a church. The quality of ministry in any local assembly is greatly determined by the ATTITUDE of its leadership.

There are two important areas of a pastor’s life which he must be careful with concerning his attitude.

 

#1 – The Pastor’s Countenance

(1 Timothy 4:12) “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”  (KJV)

The local church will take on the personality of its pastor. The longer he is there, the more its members will resemble its leader in attitude and such. In view of this truth, answer the following questions about the attitude of your personal leadership as pastor.

  • Pastor, are you repressive or optimistic?
  • Pastor, are you problem oriented or solution oriented?
  • Pastor, are you in despair, or a ray of hope?
  • Pastor, are you tense or are you relaxed?

The attitude which you consistently project will be what you end up working with overall. Yes, there is a learning curve in the ministry, but beware of how you display your attitude. Pretending will wear off after a while. Your true nature will shine forth regardless of how you dress it up. It is best to work on your attitude so it is genuinely pleasing to Christ!

#2 – The Pastor’s Mind

(2 Corinthians 10:5) “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”  (KJV)

My grandma used to say that the idle mind is the Devil’s workshop. I feel that she did not miss the truth by far! One of a pastor’s most valuable assets is his mind. Satan surely knows this and will seek to wage war. The #1 battlefield of a man of God is not with the lost man, the world in general, nor his wayward church family. It is within his own body, and his own faculties. The battlefield is in the pastor’s MIND!

Two dangers to be noted here:

Intimidation –  We should not be intimidated, but many times our attitude lends itself to this. God warned Ezekiel about this issue. Study Ezekiel 2:6 and the context within the surrounding verses. This is surely helpful to the intimidated preacher of God’s Word!

(Proverbs 29:25) “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.”  (KJV)

Spiritual Inferiority Complex – When we get our eyes off of Jesus and on ourselves, then we will end up feeliing abnormally inferior. Worry, and its cousins will rob us of the fire and zeal which are so needed to inspire the confidence of those we serve.

(Philippians 4:13) “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”  (KJV)

Consider a few questions about your mind…

  • Pastor, is your mind clear or cluttered?
  • Pastor, is your mind virtuous or grotesque?
  • Pastor, is your mind sharp or seared with sin’s desensitizing power?
  • Pastor, is your mind occupied with other folk’s needs or just about your needs?
  • Pastor, is your mind centered upon Christ or upon carnal amusements?

Conclusion

Make no mistake about this issue. Attitude determines altitude! Our countenance will reveal what is on our minds and our minds will feed our countenance. It is in everyone’s best interest to faithfully follow Christ and keep a good attitude about life so as to be a sharper tool in the omnipotent hand of our Master!

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Would you consider purchasing…

746934: Experiencing the Presence of God: Teachings From the Book of Hebrews Experiencing the Presence of God: Teachings From the Book of Hebrews

By A.W. Tozer / Regal

Open your heart to one of God’s greatest gifts—his glorious indwelling! Adapted from Tozer’s sermons, this never-before-published collection of teachings on the Letter to the Hebrews explores the epistle’s survey of biblical history, reveals insights into the “hero stories,” and guides you to a new understanding of what it means to be filled with God’s presence. 224 pages, softcover from Regal.

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