Spurgeon: July AM
* 07/07/AM
"Brethren, pray for us."
--1 Thessalonians 5:25
This one morning in the year we reserved to refresh the
reader's memory upon the subject of prayer for ministers, and we
do most earnestly implore every Christian household to grant the
fervent request of the text first uttered by an apostle and now
repeated by us. Brethren, our work is Solemnly momentous,
involving weal or woe to thousands; we treat with souls for God
on eternal business, and our word is either a savour of life
unto life, or of death unto death. A very heavy responsibility
rests upon us, and it will be no small mercy if at the last we
be found clear of the blood of all men. As officers in Christ's
army, we are the especial mark of the enmity of men and devils;
they watch for our halting, and labour to take us by the heels.
Our sacred calling involves us in temptations from which you are
exempt, above all it too often draws us away from our personal
enjoyment of truth into a ministerial and official consideration
of it. We meet with many knotty cases, and our wits are at a non
plus; we observe very sad backslidings, and our hearts are
wounded; we see millions perishing, and our spirits sink. We
wish to profit you by our preaching; we desire to be blest to
your children; we long to be useful both to saints and sinners;
therefore, dear friends, intercede for us with our God.
Miserable men are we if we miss the aid of your prayers, but
happy are we if we live in your supplications. You do not look
to us but to our Master for spiritual blessings, and yet how
many times has He given those blessings through His ministers;
ask then, again and again, that we may be the earthen vessels
into which the Lord may put the treasure of the gospel. We, the
whole company of missionaries, ministers, city missionaries, and
students, do in the name of Jesus beseech you
"BRETHREN, PRAY FOR US."