We call upon you, O Jesus, to be the Leader of the retreat Bill is leading this weekend at Palomar Christian Conference Center for 20 pastors and men from their churches, 150 men in all.
Father, let your love pour through Bill. Help him to listen to you as you give him the mind of Christ and as you impress your thoughts into his mind, moment-by-moment. Help him to receive and rely upon the anointing of your Spirit and that his words would be Spirit-words of truth, healing, and power. Use Bill as a conduit to deliver the Word of God in ways that release your life into the souls of these men and enable the pastors and all the men to be more effective leaders for you.
Lord, you know what each man needs to hear and experience on this retreat — minister into each man’s soul and then through him to the many people in his circle of influence…
Some men have deep father wounds because as boys they were abused, judged, abandoned, neglected, exposed to pornography or other addictions. Many have continued this legacy and have secrets and shame — O Jesus, set them free to follow you in love and devotion.
Some men are inhibited in their relationship with you; they are stiff and formal and their heart is not soft to you. There are pastors who have become tired and discouraged. Others are becoming secretly cynical because they are not able to live the message they preach. Soften hearts, O God. Show these men how they can live in intimacy with you through doing all that they do with soft hearts to you, their Heavenly Potter, and as apprentices to Jesus in your wondrous kingdom of the heavens.
Yes, Lord, through all this establish new connections for Bill with pastors who need more Soul Shepherding for themselves so that they can grow in their intimacy with Jesus and soul transformation. Then, being personally renewed and becoming more like Jesus, can be more loving to their families and congregations, and more effective witnesses for Jesus Christ.
Father, Son, and Spirit be glorified! May your kingdom be advanced! Amen.
Try my “Prayer for Pastors and Anyone Who Ministers to Others.” It’s a power-packed medley of Scriptures in a short prayer to help you participate in the joyous work that Jesus wants to do through you.
