The Preacher's Prayer

As many of you know (and appreciate), preacher's have a very challenging work ahead of them. Sometimes we work 70 hours a week and sometimes we only work 40 hours a week (depends on the preacher of course). Rather than turn this into a cry session for prayers, I found a great little prayer by brother Matheny in which every preacher should pray everyday. I wanted to share that with you and maybe the next time you get a chance you can say a prayer like this for me.

God Bless,

Robert

A Preacher’s Prayer
by J. Randal Matheny (courtesy of http://randalmatheny.com/)

Surrounded by Bibles spread before me
On my desk, to search and read,
‘Tis God, not I, who would explore me,
For opened heart to follow his lead.

For class and sermon I prepare,
To speak God’s word to those who’d hear;
But he invites me first to prayer,
To walk with him in quiet fear.

Oh, Lord, to hear you now I seek,
Give me a saving word to say;
Let content weigh above technique
And mercy more than smart display.

Before the church hears what I know,
Lord, let them see how much I care;
And this, for them, is what I owe,
To take up Jesus’ cross to bear.

Lord, let me seek not theirs, but them,
And from them lift the heavy weight:
To show forgiveness, and not condemn,
And usher them inside your gate.