Empty Me of Me; Fill me with You!

A pastor has no better foundation on which to stand and preach than time spent in prayer with God. A prayer life that begins with the first thought for the next sermon or meeting; and endures throughout the preparation and delivery of sermon or report. And a prayer time with all who lead worship prior to the worship service is crucial and key. When I had several to lead worship with me, we'd start early with a 7 a.m. pre-worship meeting to pray and to make sure all the bases of that day's worship were covered. And then again, just prior to entering the sanctuary to worship, we'd form a circle and we'd each pray, with me being the last. Somewhere, somehow, the Spirit taught me to say, "Empty me of me, and fill me with You." That's still my prayer every morning as I adore, confess, thank, and share my supplications with God; key to each prayer is my knowing my role and place in the scheme of God's working in and through me: It's all about God.

Empty me of me; Fill me with You!

God, after all, is carrying us on His shoulders.

Amen!