Breathe… ministry leaders

Dear minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ,

May I ask you to stop for 4 minutes? I know you don’t have time. But stop anyway. Please. You need to eat something and drink some water. And breathe with me.

Listen, please.

All of you whether you are on the stage or behind the stage. Whether you are working for free all week or receiving a paycheck. If Christ lives in you, and you are preparing His house for a multitude of guests this week, this is for you.

You are called. You are sent. You are commissioned. You are anointed by His presence.

You feel it too, don’t you? Maybe you are feeling exhausted, and it’s only Tuesday. It’s Holy Week, and you feel every single one of the thousand things that need to happen before Jesus can go to the cross on Friday.

That sounds funny, but aren’t we all feeling like He needs us to accomplish all this before He will be ready, and we will be ready for Friday? Isn’t that the point?

No one was ready for Friday!

Not one of the disciples, even though Jesus told them it was happening. They weren’t ready. Mary wasn’t ready, though she had an inkling for all of His life – even before He was born.

Jesus Himself possibly didn’t feel ready, and so He (the Son of God in the flesh) poured His heart out to the Father as the looming prophetic moment came to fulfillment.

Jesus wept. Jesus took time to eat with the ones He loved. Jesus surrendered. Jesus obeyed. Jesus forgave us all.

Jesus prayed!

Let us stop this Holy Week to follow the beautiful real and raw example of our Savior.

Join me in some breath prayers…

Ministry leaders take 30 seconds. Right now… stop everything. You can. You need to…

Breathe out… whatever is weighing you down. It is not of Christ and His character.

Breathe in… Christ in you, the Hope of Glory.

Breathe out… the chaos, the fear, anxiety of this week.

Breathe in Christ’s peace. He is with you.

Breathe out feeling like you have to do everything for everyone.

Breathe in His presence. Listen for His plans… His provision.

Breathe out frustration with him or her.

Breathe in forgiveness for your people as Christ forgives you.

Breathe out the yuck of ministry.

Breathe in His calling. His will for you this moment.

Continue breathing your own prayers – breathing out the battles of the mind, body and soul. And let the Holy Spirit transform your mind and your heart by breathing in His love and provision.

Repeat often throughout this Holy Week. Don’t let the enemy steal your joy. Don’t let the enemy distract you from God’s purposes for this week.

This isn’t your Resurrection Sunday – it’s HIS. Breathe and bow. Breathe and bend the knee. Breathe and say out loud… not my will, Lord, but Your will be done here as it is perfectly aligned with You and Your purposes in Heaven. For Your glory and exaltation. Amen.

I’m praying these breath prayers right along side you this week. If you see me out and about, ask for a hug. I would love one too. I’ll share a weary smile with you, and you can try to find a spare one too. We can breathe for a minute together and PRAY.

Father God, have Your way this Holy Week. It’s Your Son, Your plan for redemption, Your Grace, and Your Kingdom. So slow us down, and remind us of Your nearness. Your withness. May we bow and bend our knees in allegiance to You alone.

Thank You, Father, for loving us first. We love you too. Amen.

Eyes on Jesus and shine,

Lisa