Hi Ladies,
Over this past month of prayer for our elders, we have prayed that God would grow them in love, in holiness, and in humility. I’ve sought to show you from Scripture how these qualities go hand in hand. As we begin week four and pray for wisdom, you’re probably expecting me to do the same. Being predictable is not always a bad thing. 😊 But again, we’ll let Scripture speak!
The words “wise” or “wisdom” occur 400 times in the ESV. While repetition alone does not determine the level of importance, I think it’s safe to say that wisdom is a major theme of Scripture. Only God is limitlessly wise (Rom. 11:33). But as His image-bearers, we are called to live wisely (Pr. 9:10; 1 Cor. 2:6; Col. 4:5), to pray for it (James 1:5), and to teach from it (Col. 3:16).
But what is wisdom? Scripture generally uses this word to communicate living in light of particular knowledge. This wisdom can be worldly or godly (1 Cor. 1:20-31; 3:18-20). Worldly wisdom would mean applying the world’s knowledge/way of thinking to our own circumstances. Since the Bible most frequently describes “the world” as a system apart from or contrary to God, worldly wisdom would be void of Godward thinking (James 3:13-18). Godly wisdom, however, is looking to all that God has revealed about Himself and His ways, and then applying that first and foremost to whatever we are facing. As Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”
Therefore, in order to be wise in godly wisdom, we must know the Lord - what He says, what pleases Him, and what He asks of us. We must trust Him above all sources of knowledge and desire Him above all potential loves; we must devote ourselves to Him above all (Ps. 73:24-25). And we must be humble enough to understand that living according to God’s wisdom in this world will lead others to see us and treat us as foolish (1 Cor. 1:18-31).
Love. Holiness. Humility. Wisdom. They are interdependent.
And so as we pray specifically for wisdom for Pastor Jason, Jeffrey Johnson, Jeff McCraw, Kirk Lortz and Earl Reynolds, I’d like to suggest several categories in which we can pray:
1) Wisdom in their home - Before these men are shepherds of the flock of ABC, they are shepherds of their homes. Ministry homes are not immune to “the world, the flesh and the devil.” Let’s pray that God gives them wisdom to steward the extra load and to shepherd wisely through the stress and spiritual warfare that ministry can add to the family. And let’s pray that God would protect their families from resentment and instead give them a supernatural love for the church and the role they see their husbands/fathers called to.
2) Wisdom in their work - Except for Pastor Jason, our elders also work secular jobs. This presents both opportunities and challenges. Let’s pray that these men live with godly wisdom and integrity, whether they are shepherding the flock or following a boss’s orders or treating a patient or engaging with a client.
3) Wisdom in their role as elders - Finally, our shepherds need great wisdom to lead us, feed us, protect us and care for us as God has called them to. There are so many voices and ideas out there, and they are not all bad! But our elders need special wisdom to discern and carry out God’s vision for our local family - in the here and now, and also looking toward the future. Let’s pray that they would not lean on their own understanding, but would clearly see and follow the Spirit’s leading for us, in unity together.
Thank you for joining me in these prayers this month. If you haven’t taken the opportunity to express your appreciation for them, I encourage you to do so. And don’t let your prayers for them stop in November!
❤️🙏🏼
