I continue to revise my preaching-related prayer guide, which I started a couple of years ago (see 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0).
It has remained pretty steady for a while, but I’ve been revising it again in the last couple of weeks. My purpose isn’t really to perfect it, but to reflect whatever I’m emphasizing at any given time. So, here’s the latest version.
Desperate Preacher’s Prayer Guide
“I have entered into the ministry of Jesus Christ, to the Father, through the Holy Spirit, on behalf of the world!”
I humble / surrender / yield myself to you! I am available / dependent / desperate! Sanctify me. Give me clean hands and a pure heart. God, give me a heart like yours! Break my heart for what breaks yours!
Pour out your Spirit on me. Prepare me. Speak to me. Transform me. Let my heart be “good soil,” receptive and teachable. Anoint me be a Truth-teller, Pot-stirrer, and Seed-planter.
Dress me in your armor. Set me on fire. Fill me with boldness, urgency, power, passion, and courage!
Help me to be in tune with you. Send me out with a preacher’s burden. Help me to be clear, focused, and concise. Help me to say what you want me to say—nothing more, nothing less!
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer” (Psalm 19.14). God, you write the words! Help me to internalize the message so that it will be fire in my bones!
May the preaching of your Word make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world! “Lord … enable your servant to speak your word with complete confidence” (Acts 4.29).
Saturate, consume, and overwhelm us with your presence. May your Spirit work among us and breathe new life into us!
Amen.
Randy Willis
Pastor
Follower of Jesus. Husband to Joleen. Dad to Ethan & Sarah. Pastor to Wehnwood UMC.