Praying for your pastor

For those who have wondered how best to pray for me.

• Pray that I work smarter. I’ve been working hard for the church since we started but I need to learn how to work smarter. I need to manage my time better. I need to focus on my leading and equiping the people of CATF.
• Pray that I keep my priorities in order. Kids grow up fast and I want to be sure that I give them, and Brenda everything I can. They come before my postion as a pastor and I need to practice that.
• Pray that I take care of myself. I don’t do a good job of taking care of myself at times. I need to stay on my exercise routine and eat right. I also need to learn how to relax so I reduce stress. I also need to be aware of my Crohn's Disease and do what I can to care for myself in this area.
• Pray that I focus more energy on developing deeper relationships with my peers. I know many, many great pastors and I like to think that I’m friends with most of them but I want to deepen some of these relationships. The introvert in me sort of gets in the way of this a lot.
• Pray for fresh passion for me. I’ll be completely honest and tell you that being the pastor of a church is tiring and demanding. I love what I do, but I constantly need a fresh word from God.
• Pray that I rest better. I struggle with taking enough time to rest and rejuvenate. I struggle to take a complete day off.
• Pray for my family. Ministry can take it’s toll on a family. There is also a spiritual warfare element in play when you’re leading a church. Please be praying for my wonderful wife, Brenda, and my great kids. Pray for protection from the enemy as well as peace and joy from the Lord.
• Pray that I make sufficient time for prayer. Yes it is hard for me to pray with all that comes my way -- and you thought that was all I did all day long :-)
  

Thanks so much. Prayer is the greatest gift you can give me.