Prayers For Today

I am praying today, as I have for the past few and will do for a while longer, for a man who served his Lord. This man is said to have beautiful feet.

And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (Romans 10:15 KJV)

Indeed, he preached the gospel of peach and brought glad tidings of good things to those who heard him. Such service has been over for years, as his mind ceased functioning before his body has. Now his family gathers, spending final hours holding the hand of one they love. Not wanting him to go, yet knowing he is going home to his father. We are of such split desires at these times and the prayers of extended family and friends is that the Comforter will bring them peace in His promises for the future. They have faith.

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (Hebrews 11:3 KJV)

Peter had specific instructions for these men, called of God to speak His message. Peter spoke from his own experiences.

The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: (1 Peter 5:1 KJV)

Just as Peter followed Jesus commandment in John 21, he requires those called do the same.

Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. (1 Peter 5:2-3 KJV)

What is promised to those who do feed God’s flock by example is a crown of glory.

And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. (1 Peter 5:4 KJV)

Take time to thank your pastor now for being the example to God’s flock. Consider his calling, the responsibilities he has accepted. How else could he come close to meeting the job description?

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. (1 Timothy 3:2-7 KJV)

Give thanks today for our pastors – and pray for this one and his family as he goes home to be with our Lord.

St. Peter Preaching, ca 1424, Masaccio (Wiki Commons)