Prayers for a Pastor and her congregation

There is sadness in my heart for my friend Cheesehead . She is having to Pastor her congregation through a horrible tragedy. Something that no one, no family, no Pastor, no church should have to go through, but most likely will. The members of the blog RevGalBlogPals have rallied around her, lifted her and the church members up in prayer, designating a time to pray while the visitation and funeral is going on for them. But frankly since we have read about the news we all have been praying. Many have written their prayers and thoughts. Calacirian has written a beautiful and powerful prayer on her blog.

I have had a hard time coming up with any words to say. Yes, it is hard to do that in the midst of trajedy. Sometimes the best thing we do have to offer is our presence along with the presence of God. But I can't even be present for her or the congregation, but God is. But Paul tells us in Romans 8:26-27; "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. ²⁷And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." There are so many times in prayer that I do so rely on the Holy Spirit to intercede for me, and that God knows my heart and mind and my needs. Thanks be to God.

I also know that when you the Pastor are affected as well it makes it harder to Pastor, because you have your own wounds and grief that need healing. So I pray for strength for her pastoring, people to turn to who will comfort, listen, and be with her. Tomorrow as the Funeral comes and it is a wearing day after many wearing emotion filled days, lift her up, and then give them the rest they need. Already you are work in a mighty way as this congregation seeks to love instead of seek revenge. We thank you for that. They will need you in the days ahead, the trials ahead, and whatever comes from them. We know that you go before us, behind us, over us, underneathe us, but most of all you go beside us with us through the valleys, the time of death and the sorrow that accompanies it. Father if there are others out there reading this and they need you and your comfort, hold them in your arms, with your tender mercy, enter lives through your people who will be your hands and feet for them. God we are all in your hands. We ask all this through your son, Jesus, and through the comforter you sent so long ago to be with us, your Holy Spirit, Amen.