Whether one is a pastor, public speaker or professional “life-coach”, there is one common denominator. The principle is this – no preparation, no power. Not being a full time pastor, but a bi-vocational ministry leader for a couple decades now in area-wide men’s ministry in Central Illinois, affords increasing opportunity to share the message of the Kingdom, in various venues (including secular ones).
Recently, the privilege to speak at my first Good Friday service was such a time. It demanded a level of preparation and prayer which has led me far into a place, I have never previously been. In reflection, it should have been the first stop. I was asked to speak on Statements 3 and 4 of the Seven Final Statements, which Christ delivered from the Cross. He made those statements just minutes before He paid the ultimate price for all sin, of all mankind, for all time.
For weeks, I struggled with how to present Statement 3 from the Cross, which can be found in John 19:26b-27: ““Woman, behold, your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” That is, until days before I was to speak, I cried to Jesus and asked Him “Lord, these are Your Words….how do I present them at this service?
Jesus said that we, Christians, should pray to the Father “In My Name” is so much that whatever we asked, will be granted unto us. He also said, we have not because we ask not. Prayer is the only means by which we can communicate with our great God in Heaven and the Savior. We are doubly blessed among all people in that our Savior – Jesus Christ – also intercedes for us. Now, wrap your mind around that for a second: the Creator of untold galaxies; the human body and everything that lives and breathes – prays for us! (