Chrysostom
Beloved of All
Your prayer is good and according to the Scriptures, and I join my voice to yours before God for these things.
I thank God that you desire pastors and preachers to seek Him first in prayer, in daily devotion, in careful study of the Word, and in a holy life. This is what the Apostle requires when he says to watch closely over life and doctrine and persevere in them, for in doing this we will save both ourselves and our hearers. A pastor must be sober, of good behavior and temperate, and must rule his own house well, for the Church is like a small household. If a man does not order his own house with gravity, how shall he take care of the Church of God. Pray therefore that God will keep those who preach from negligence, and that whether in hearing or in doing, whether at home or abroad or in the church, they may be faithful and give their hearers fruit and not only words.
I also join you in praying for your families and for all who visit and hear, that the Father who alone reveals the Messiah will draw them, as it is written that no one can come unless the Father draws him. Pray that they receive the implanted Word with humility which saves the soul, and that they do not come constantly and go away reaping no fruit, but that they understand the Scriptures as Christ opened the minds of His disciples. There are many who are scarcely seen in church once in the year, and we should mourn for this, for we are commanded not to forsake assembling together. Ask that God will give them a true hunger for the Word like newborn infants, and a spirit of revelation, and faith that comes by hearing.
You asked that the hands of those who intercede be upheld as Aaron and Hur upheld the hands of Moses while Joshua fought in the field. This is an ancient custom planted in the Church from the beginning, that we bear one another up in prayer. Remember also that our confidence rests above all on the Lord Jesus Himself, who is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, because He ever lives to make intercession for them. He does not die as the priests under the Law did, but He lives continually, and whenever there is need He intercedes for us. For this reason we can pray with boldness.
For protection, pray that God will guard your households from sin and temptation and from evil people and deceivers and from the evil one, and that you may put on the whole armor of God. And as you pray, lift up holy hands without wrath and without doubting. We must not come before God with malice toward those who have offended us, nor make our prayer a cry against our enemies, but forgive as we have been forgiven, for this with almsgiving and fasting and continual remembrance of our sins helps to obtain mercy.
So let us pray together. Father, You are our ever present help. We thank You for Your Anointed who was crucified for our sins and raised for our justification. Draw our families to hear Your Word tonight and tomorrow and whenever Your people gather for worship, for Bible study, for corporate prayer and fellowship. Grant to each one repentance and faith, the forgiveness of sins and newness of life. Give vision by Your Holy Spirit and open eyes to know the truth that saves. Keep us from lack of knowledge and from every deception, and deliver us from the evil one. Teach us to hunger for Your Word and to walk in Your truth by the anointing of Your Spirit. We ask this not by our worth but through Jesus Christ alone, through whom alone is salvation, trusting that when we ask according to Your will You hear us. Amen.
I thank God that you desire pastors and preachers to seek Him first in prayer, in daily devotion, in careful study of the Word, and in a holy life. This is what the Apostle requires when he says to watch closely over life and doctrine and persevere in them, for in doing this we will save both ourselves and our hearers. A pastor must be sober, of good behavior and temperate, and must rule his own house well, for the Church is like a small household. If a man does not order his own house with gravity, how shall he take care of the Church of God. Pray therefore that God will keep those who preach from negligence, and that whether in hearing or in doing, whether at home or abroad or in the church, they may be faithful and give their hearers fruit and not only words.
I also join you in praying for your families and for all who visit and hear, that the Father who alone reveals the Messiah will draw them, as it is written that no one can come unless the Father draws him. Pray that they receive the implanted Word with humility which saves the soul, and that they do not come constantly and go away reaping no fruit, but that they understand the Scriptures as Christ opened the minds of His disciples. There are many who are scarcely seen in church once in the year, and we should mourn for this, for we are commanded not to forsake assembling together. Ask that God will give them a true hunger for the Word like newborn infants, and a spirit of revelation, and faith that comes by hearing.
You asked that the hands of those who intercede be upheld as Aaron and Hur upheld the hands of Moses while Joshua fought in the field. This is an ancient custom planted in the Church from the beginning, that we bear one another up in prayer. Remember also that our confidence rests above all on the Lord Jesus Himself, who is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, because He ever lives to make intercession for them. He does not die as the priests under the Law did, but He lives continually, and whenever there is need He intercedes for us. For this reason we can pray with boldness.
For protection, pray that God will guard your households from sin and temptation and from evil people and deceivers and from the evil one, and that you may put on the whole armor of God. And as you pray, lift up holy hands without wrath and without doubting. We must not come before God with malice toward those who have offended us, nor make our prayer a cry against our enemies, but forgive as we have been forgiven, for this with almsgiving and fasting and continual remembrance of our sins helps to obtain mercy.
So let us pray together. Father, You are our ever present help. We thank You for Your Anointed who was crucified for our sins and raised for our justification. Draw our families to hear Your Word tonight and tomorrow and whenever Your people gather for worship, for Bible study, for corporate prayer and fellowship. Grant to each one repentance and faith, the forgiveness of sins and newness of life. Give vision by Your Holy Spirit and open eyes to know the truth that saves. Keep us from lack of knowledge and from every deception, and deliver us from the evil one. Teach us to hunger for Your Word and to walk in Your truth by the anointing of Your Spirit. We ask this not by our worth but through Jesus Christ alone, through whom alone is salvation, trusting that when we ask according to Your will You hear us. Amen.
