Not So Well

Our family attended the annual church picnic of the church where my wife and I met and where my father-in-law and his wife still attend. I have to tell you that I hadn't thought anything about today's prayer post, until the praise and worship band played "It Is Well", a modern take on Horatio Spafford's It Is Well With My Soul.

Immediately, this got me thinking about pastors and missionaries who have suffered great loss and personal tragedy. Like all of us, it comes in many forms... family struggles, disappointments, loss of life or possessions, medical difficulties, financial trouble, ministry turmoil.

We often sing It Is Well, at times when life feels the farthest thing from being well. Spafford penned the words to this song after losing his four daughters on the ship crossing the Atlantic; but how many of us remember that less than six and a half years later, he would lose his 3-yr old son to scarlet fever?

I found myself for a few moments, thinking about a few pastor friends. One truly wonders sometimes, how people manage to keep the faith. It's clearly not that those in ministry have an easier life. It simply proves we should cover them in prayer, as much as would desire for someone to pray with and over ourselves.

Pray, this #seniorPastorMonday, for pastors struggling with the challenges of life. Whether in ministry or at home, with family or among friends, pray for battles and difficulties they currently face. Pray that God would gird them up and strengthen their hearts as they focus on Him and what He has called them to accomplish. Pray he would encourage and bring peace to the minds and souls. May worry, anxiety and an overall sense of unrest leave and may the peace that surpasses all understanding bring them to a place of rest in Christ. No matter what the outcomes and the conversations that transpire along the way, even when it seems to be not so well; may their be a quiet confidence in the sovereignty of God; that indeed life "will be well, with my soul."

For the glory of God,
We pray these things.
In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

- PNC