But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. And he prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster. Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.” Jonah 4:1-3
Dear Jesus, you’ve stirring my heart today to pray for weary women and men serving in the ministry of the gospel. I wish it weren’t so, but sometimes it takes my own challenges and hardships in ministry to hit my knees with compassionate intercession for others. Before your throne of grace, we bring pastors, missionaries, church staff members, counselors—a wide range of friends you’ve called into vocational Christian ministry.
Many of them are living Jonah’s conflicted story. In their heads they still know you to be a God who is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. But in their hearts, they are displeased and angry; disconnected, disillusioned; and a few, like Jonah, aren’t sure they want many more days in this world. Have mercy, on them, Jesus, have great mercy today.
Jesus, you know all the issues they’re dealing with and no one cares about them more than you. You know what’s under their anger or in their depression; what’s intensifying their fears or multiplying their tears; what’s disillusioning and what’s demonic; what’s breaking their hearts or hardening their hearts; what’s driving them to medicate, to more busyness or far away to some version of Tarshish.
Meet these dear servants of your right where they are. We pray for their spouses and children as well, for sometimes—oftentimes it’s the family members who suffer the pangs, price and “crazy” of ministry the most.
Comfort them with your compassion and presence. Rekindle hope in their hurting hearts. Grant them a renewed perspective of eternity and grace for the next thirty minutes. Where needed, may your kindness drive them to appropriate repentance. Refresh, renew and restore your servants, by whatever and through whomever who choose, including us.
Until you return, Jesus, Satan will continue to mount an all out assault against you by attacking your Bride, and especially those called to nourish and prepare your church for the great Wedding Day. He knows he’s lost us for eternity, so he will do anything and everything within his power to bring havoc, heartache and hell. Show us how to encourage your servants, and all the more as we see that great Day approaching. So very Amen we pray, in your holy and loving name.
