When Prayer Requests Get into Gossip Sessions

So Recently
a prayer request (Email @ that) had made itself into the media field. (Sure the preacher is famous and such and has a big church, but does it make it right that someone possibly in their concern ... and in praying leaked this to the media?)

I'm just wondering where we as God's people draw the line?

We are to be truthful. We are to pray for one another. But the main thing Prayer is private. There are certain issues "We" just don't need to know. (Fact I'm already sick of hearing about Madonna's divorce and how the media spin it)

I think we need to be careful how we tell others about prayer requests and how we present them. (There are just some people that want to be prayed for all the time and the attention on them and not on that the Holy Spirit is groaning on our behalf)

I think it is good to ask yourself several questions when passing on a prayer requests or adding it to some prayer list.

Here are some questions I need to ask:

1. Do others need to be praying for this?
2. Will I break some confidentiality if I tell others?
3. Would it be easier to be brief and not state everything about the request?
4. How is my own prayer life, and have I, myself prayed for this situation?
5. Is this gossip, or is it sincere concern?
6. Am I being above reproach in presenting this?
7. Would it be easier to be "General" rather than specific in my request?
8. Should this be in another media form to prayer for? Email, prayer chain, etc. Or was was this just an individual requests?
9. Am I making this to be a "show" or am I praying as Jesus gave an example of in his sermon on the Mt?
10. If this "request" was someone I loved, would I want the whole world to know or keep it private?

Other questions?

How do you keep your prayer sessions with students and adults from being gossip sessions? where is the line?

Loving your Enemies isn't Easy!!

Loving your enemies isn't easy. Jesus tells us to love God and love others.

Sometimes its hard.

Sometimes it is almost next to impossible.

In fact love that person that doesn't even love you.

Love the person that you would think is "Ugly" towards you.

In our own online, cyber, anon-posting, cyber-bullying ways ...let's even love that person.

Jesus tells us to love one another. They will know we are Christians by our love. Forgiveness, mercy, grace is never easy. Do good to even those that hate you is like heaping hot coals on their head as Romans tells us.

Sure, people need to take responsibility for their actions. Sure, we'd like to see justice done. Ultimately though it comes from God.

Too often we are quick to judge, quick to react, and slow to listen.

I've typed many a post, email, message in which I wish I could take back.

Many a word I've said that I've wished I'd never said at all.

Words are powerful! Words hurt! Words carry wounds. Words haunt. But so does building up, encouraging, equipping, and letting others encourage you.

Before you post: THINK!

Even if someone writes something about you, your family, others ...forgive. Not an easy thing. Let Jesus be your example!!!

What I have learned from stress?

So what have we learned from stress?


Here is what I have learned from stress ... especially as one in ministry.

1. Everyone will have stress in their lives.

2. It is how one responds to stress that makes them either better people or to more stressed.

3. Usually if one views stress as a learning experience and have ways to respond to it - it can make one a better person.

4. If one chooses to dwell on their stress and doesn't take steps to reduce it - they can end up in a worse position than they had when the issue began.

So let's look at ways to reduce Stress:

A. Have an outlet -someone that will listen, not critique but listen and just be a friend.
B. Play a sport or have an outlet like a quiet place to scream and let out your stress - I find that if my issue is some leader - I just pretend they are the bowling pins - and boy does my bowling go great. Finding that outlet and friend that listens isn't easy.
C. Have a mentor that will listen and help you take steps to get less stress in your life - perhaps it is getting away from that High Maintaining person. "Baby steps" (Think the movie "What about Bob?"
D. Get the help you need - perhaps talking to a professional counselor, or other person to get the mental, social, physical, spiritual help you need to be less stressed. Being in good health helps support your family.
E. Know You Are not alone. Everyone has stress. Someone has been there. There is empathy and ultimately God is in control!!!
F. Pray, pray, pray. Giving it up to God and letting him carry your burdens!!!

If you don't address the stress in your life - it can eat away at you and leave you a bitter, cynical, and negative person. (Trust me I know)

Ministry can be and is very stressful ...but it is how one addresses and handles it that makes them a better person. Have a good one!!