(submitted by Kerry Patton)
And Jesus said to them, "Render to Caesar the things
that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." And they were amazed at Him.
Mark 12:17
For My Service to the Church, O God… May
Your Will Be Done
So here is an odd use of a scripture. Mark 12:17 is usually employed as an encouragement
for presenting one’s tithe to the church.
Give your appropriate tax to the government, but also give your
appropriate tithe to the church. Render
unto Caesar, and render unto God.
Right? But I’m sitting here
thinking about time and energy. Oh my
gosh…our lives are so busy with rendering our energy and time to the
responsibilities of this world. How many
hours at work? Is it 40? Is it 60?
Is it more? Then there are
responsibilities at home. The grass has
to be mowed. The kitchen, the cooking,
the laundry. Quality family time needs
to fall in there somewhere… And
what? You need someone in the church
nursery? In the youth room? On the
mission trip? Serving the poor at Center
of Hope? HELP!!
Who was it that said… “If the devil can’t stop you, he’ll
work to burn you out.” Truth. It is balance that we seek. We are looking for God’s management…His will
to be accomplished in our lives…in every realm.
Today, we pray that his will be accomplished in our use in the
church. There is danger in both being
under-employed as well as being over employed in His service at the local
church. We need wisdom and guidance.
We asked members of our Prayer Advocates team to contribute
prayers as examples of how they ask for God’s will to be fulfilled being used
in the church. As you read their
prayers, may the Holy Spirit of God inspire you and lead you as you pray for
God’s will to be done in your own life.
From Alan Myers:
“Father,
You have designed Northside as a body of believers and each of us is important
in helping the body to function. Burden me with the need to serve with the
gifts you have given me.”
From Judy Myers:
“Allowing
a bit of humor here I would pray for more time in a week to travel back and
forth to Weatherford from Granbury and for God to make a “quick bridge” from
Granbury to the church. When we first thought about joining that was one
of the reasons we hesitated, would we have time to spend in working at the
church considering the distance. At first I tried to do it on my own and
found I was there more than at home, doing foolish things like running a cake
all of the way to Weatherford wasting valuable time I could be in prayer at
home for the situation when others were more than willing to bake a cake.
It didn’t take long for God to reveal to me where He wanted me to serve
instead of where Judy wanted to serve. I pray that God will continue to
use me in our church but that I will be still and wait upon Him to show me
where He wants me to serve.”
From Robin Moore:
“God
you know that I want to be used of you in my Church and with my church family.
Lord you know the problem that I have getting to church due to my work and
hours. Thank you God for the prayer group that I am in and praying for those in
need. It’s great to know we can all pray together and stand in the gap for
others that are hurting or suffering. Thank you Lord for the internet that I
can worship in between my work duties :) and I can be a part and sing and
praise with the others. You are an awesome God. Amen”
From Laura Patton:
“Heavenly
Father, for our church, I ask for Your hand of wisdom and protection be on all
the ministers and staff. That You would
bring healing, health, strength, rest, vision, wisdom, creativity and depth of
relationship to all those who lead and guide our church. That You would fill each of us with passion
and purpose for doing Your work. May
our church be a place of healing and hope for the broken and hurting. May our hands and feet be Your hands and
feet. May we listen for You in every
song, sermon, Bible Study and child's laugh.”
From Kerry Patton:
“Almighty
God, what a privilege it is to be a part of a loving church family. And you have raised up talents within each of
us to make certain that your body functions effectively and efficiently. Let me never be underemployed, O God. Make me always at the ready to serve in
whatever capacity you ordain. Let me be
your hands, your feet, your voice to those who walk through our doors and sit
in our classes and services. Use me to
lead, or follow, or sweep…and in whatever I am employed, let me serve you with
gladness and joy. Help me never be too
busy to be still, and make me never to stable to not GO when you instruct. Use me, and use my family. In
Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”
