1,000 More Reasons...

Well, I'm slightly on fire today. And not in a good way. We really don't need another reason to #pray4pastors. I really don't want to hear another news item that justifies this burden that God has placed upon my heart.

But here we are... and not a knock on the denomination, but those involved clearly have some things to work out between God and man.

300 priests, involved in sexual abuse involving 1,000-something young people over the last 70 years. And somewhere along the way, the leadership of the Catholic church, not only covered it up, once, but multiple times over. For decades.

Outrageous, unfathomable... I'm really not sure if it's more appropriate to be overwhelmed with anger or tears.

But my heart is broken. And this is why we pray!

Old men whose lives have been ruined to the core, in the depths of their soul, from probably never having shared the matter. And young people in recent years, who probably still aren't believed when they have found the ability to come forward. And tons more in between; of all walks and stages of life. How they've been affected and the quality of life that they have lived; it's truly hard to comprehend.

Equally hard to comprehend, the condition and outcome for these priests. I know God forgives. I've seen God forgive. I also know the incredibly difficult road that the offender travels after the fact. God is able and capable to redeem and bless. But that is a long process and these are still a long ways off from that stage.

This is so not what the church is about. This is not what we need to be know for. This is not helpful for the ministry.

Yet it is an opportunity. The failure of humanity is the best argument for the love of God. The evil nature of sin in our heart is the best argument for the existence of a divine plan of redemption. Our brokenness, reason to seek the work of God to make us whole. Our damaged and wounded spirits placed in the hands of the Comforter; that the Holy Spirit would bring healing through the power of Jesus Christ.

Is it not amazing how the worse a tragedy, the more amazing the testimony?
The more troubling a journey, the more incredible is the destination?
What the devil intended for death, God uses to bring life.
What he seeks to destroy, God plans to build.

Pray this #youthPastorWednesday, for all these that are involved in this mess. For they all have a response to this disaster and the only one that matters is whether they turn to you in time of trouble or abandon you. Pray, in this day of difficulty, that God would begin a great work in hearts and lives of both the abusers and the abused. Indeed, pray for healing... that the broken would be made well, and whole. Pray that God would use His church; not a denomination, but the people of God, to come along side, as ministering angels of grace. May God give divine appointments to intervene, intercede and be a true source of faith on display. Pray that God would guard the leadership of the church, as they work to establish the next generation of leaders.

May we be about building the kingdom of God
Rather than destroying it through selfish, sinful indulgence.
God help us all, for we are all but one wayward step away
From the beginning of a downfall that could severely impact eternity.

- PNC