Lexzie in Christ

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your word. Your word is true and never fails. Outside of Your Holy Spirit, we lack understanding and we lack strength. In our own humanity, even our best efforts are flawed. But You are perfect, and Holy and just. And we are so blessed to find our salvation and our strength in Jesus Christ. In Your Son, alone.

Thank You for all of those who You have gifted and encouraged to share Your word. Thank You for our friends, family and peers who are bold enough to stand for Christ. Thank You for Believers who use their voice to spread the Gospel. And thank You for the Spirit-filled pastors who have preached Your word in a way that is true and pleasing to You.

We know that there are high stakes for those in ministry. And while Your standard and will applies to us all, there is a level of responsibility that comes with shepherding a congregation.

We have seen many pastors – some false, and some true – falling, and leaning, into sin + temptation as of late. For those that are true, their ministries are now tarred with a layer of distrust and confusion that has left so many reeling. The impact is devastating; even for those who understand that their trust is in You and not in man.

Please move in the hearts of those pastors who truly love You and who truly love the word. Bring them back to the truth. Allow them to shed any pride that is blocking them from turning to You. Break off any shame that is binding them and that may work to keep them on a path of destruction. Bring them to repentance. Allow them to know that, even if their actions have disqualified them from certain earthly roles; that they will never be disqualified from the Kingdom of Heaven if they are truly in Christ. Please use their stories and their lives for Your will, and Your purpose.

Please protect the families of these pastors. Their wives, children and loved ones. All of those who have to work through pain and hurt on a personal, community and spiritual level. Let them find comfort in Your hands and in the arms of compassion-filled Believers. Please don’t let their loved ones feel shamed into making any particular decision based on the urging of the congregation. Let them seek You for ultimate guidance and peace on how to handle their marriage, their grief and their heavy emotion. Please surround these pastors and their family with true support.

And please protect all those who were being shepherded by these pastors. Allow us to remain discerning, remembering that: any person can fall into sin and that the earthly consequences may be great. Please keep us vigilant, with our eyes set on You. We love You, Lord.

In Christ’s name. Amen. Praise the Lord.