If you haven’t heard, this last sunday Pastor Fred Winters was shot on his pulpit in the middle of a service. The church is less than an hour away from my house, so it seems to hit a little harder.
Apparently the shooter was battling a mental illness, but clearly there were spiritual forces at work here…
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” – Eph 6:12
I got to be honest, as a Christian in America, I have it really easy. The worst I get is a little verbal persecution once in a while. I have never had to hide to go to an underground church, never had the government take my Bible from me, never been imprisoned for my faith, or been physically harmed for my beliefs. Life as a Christian in America has been a relatively easy one, when other Christians around the world are currently going through everything I mentioned above.
We are in a battle
As we get closer to the end times, it is going to be more likely that attacks on the church will increase. This shooting kind of jolted me and was a fresh reminder that we are in a war (2 Tim 2:3). Good vs. evil. According to my Bible, the devil is defeated, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t fight back. We, as Christians, have a responsibility and duty to pray.
On multiple occasions Paul the apostle asked the church to pray for him, whether our pastors are asking for it or not, it would be wise of us to do it anyway. Anyone who has pastored or knows pastors well knows that there are unique challenges that they face that most congregants have no idea about. Good pastors make sacrifices and give of themselves not to receive praise from men, but because it is what God has called them to do.
I know that even though this story is getting national coverage, it will be short-lived and many Christians won’t ever hear about it. I encourage you to step up your prayer for your pastors and encourage others to do the same. Prayer does work, but the prayers need to be prayed!
I refuse to stand by while the enemy attacks, when I am fully equipped to fight back. Let’s use the offensive weapon that we have, the word, and pray.
A few scriptures for praying for protection
“No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.” – Isaiah 54:17
“Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men; Preserve me from violent men” – Psalm 140:1
“You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.” – Psalm 91:5-7 (actually all of Psalm 91 is great for protection)
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- The Bible and Debt
- Whatever you put your hand to will prosper…
- Top 10 best paying jobs
- What to do when you hate your job
- 25 most famous bible verses
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Bob, thank you and AMEN for this post. My prayers have been with that church ever since I heard of it. It seems like this is becoming more and more a reality. Its a shame that we are now having to look at increased security including armed guards at many churches and yet that is what’s happening.
Our pastors need prayers constantly but even more now during these times. As a staff member in my church, I know and understand the burdens that my senior pastor takes on and I can see it taking a toll on him right now.
I am thankful though that we serve an awesome God who hears and answers prayer and who looks out for His children. Thank you again for a great post.
Good Reminder….Pastors definitely need our prayers.
Yes, the need to pray will continue to grow as Christian persecution is increasing around the world. As it says in Hebrews, the Lord will shake everything until only his kingdom is left standing.
Christian persecution will also shake out the people that are just playing church rather than followers of Christ who are ready to die for their faith. And that will lead to the collapse of churches filled with luke-warm Christians as they abandon their churches.
Christian persecution is coming to America and America will need to respond.
Great point Bob…
Remember this everyone, our pastors do not get to sit under preaching 3 times a week like we do. They may be listening to sermons, but they do not get to sit under direct preaching on a weekly basis as we do.
Because of this, and because of the fact the devil always targets and tempts the godly leader, we do need to pray daily for those in leadership positions in the church.
They minister to us from the pulpit…let us minister to them from our closets!
DebtFREEk!