Pastoral ministry is a key aspect of any congregation's life. We've been working hard at this for months now, seeking to establish an appropriate framework for such pastoral ministry, which will secure the ends for which it's there.
But we readily recognise that it's not just the framework that needs to be right - it's us as well, the pastors through whom that pastoral ministry is exercised.
Last night at our regular Sunday evening worship we started to take a close look at what Paul has to say about the sort of pastoral ministry he exercised (and wanted to see being exercised by others): and as the lead in to that we sang together James Montgomery's hymn which is a prayer for pastors.
Get beyond the slightly antiquated language, and it's actually an extraordinarily pertinent prayer which God's people would do well to be praying for all their pastors, all, that is, who have responsibility for the 'care of their souls'.
Here are the words of the hymn. Let me encourage you to take these words and make them your specific, regular, earnest prayer for those who are your pastors.
Pour out thy Spirit from on high; Lord, thine ordained servants bless; graces and gifts to each supply, and clothe thy priests with righteousness.
2. Within thy temple when they stand to teach the truth, as taught by thee, Saviour, like stars in thy right hand the angels of the churches be !
3. Wisdom and zeal and faith impart, firmness with meekness, from above, to bear thy people on their heart, and love the souls whom thou dost love.
4. To watch and pray, and never faint; by day and night strict guard to keep; to warn the sinner, cheer the saint, nourish thy lambs, and feed thy sheep;
5. Then, when their work is finished here, in humble hope their charge resign. When the Chief Shepherd shall appear, O God, may they and we be thine.
2. Within thy temple when they stand to teach the truth, as taught by thee, Saviour, like stars in thy right hand the angels of the churches be !
3. Wisdom and zeal and faith impart, firmness with meekness, from above, to bear thy people on their heart, and love the souls whom thou dost love.
4. To watch and pray, and never faint; by day and night strict guard to keep; to warn the sinner, cheer the saint, nourish thy lambs, and feed thy sheep;
5. Then, when their work is finished here, in humble hope their charge resign. When the Chief Shepherd shall appear, O God, may they and we be thine.
They will appreciate hugely your praying for them thus!
And you yourself will benefit greatly from the increasing richness of the pastoral ministry they'll begin to exercise.
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5 comments:
It so nice to see children praying...but it is more nice to see a child praying together with a dog.
Even dog know how to kneel down to his Creator.
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