Yesterday, I received an email from COR stating that they had to release two of their young pastors from their staff. Reading the blogs on this issue, I was moved to tears for these talented young individuals and their families. They and their families have been a constant part of my prayers since receiving that email.
Satan has succeeded in attacking COR and the United Methodist Church. And, God is conficting me for my role in this matter — my prayer life. I don’t personally know these individuals, their families or their friends. My primary connection to them and to COR is via the Internet. That said, God is still saying I share in the guilt.
On many occasions, I’ve heard a request to pray for my church and my pastor. Unfortunately, God would not give me a passing grade on my prayers for my church and pastor, nor for my prayers for COR and its pastors because I’m not consistent in those prayers. God is also telling me I’m failing in my prayers because I don’t pray for the assistant pastors of a church or for the young pastors throughout the denomination. Not only is God calling me to pray for these future leaders of our church, but to pray for them by name.
Lord, please forgive me for my haphazard prayer life. Please forgive me for my lack of spceific prayers on behalf of the young clergy. Lord, help me to become consistent in my prayers. Please, help me Lord, to remember all pastors but especially the young pastors in my prayers. Amen.
