Open Gates

Thinking these days about the care of women in ministry and those married to professional church workers. In preparing for a professional church workers conference, I have a heart for all women in ministry, and as the equipped saints, that is all inclusive. But, this upcoming event brings together the leaders, those trusted with equipping the priesthood of all believers. We spend alot of time comparing ourselves to each other, and perhaps backed into corners afraid to express our failings and discouraged hearts. How can we be the wind under the breath of the Holy Spirit as encouragers to each other?

Can sharing where we meet the Lord in prayer bring hope? Can new prayer tools reopen the gate to conversations waiting in the wings of our days? What happens in the holding of the hand of a fellow believer in prayer, steeped in intercession?  Does one connection make a difference in how we live the day to day burden of ministry? How do we create safe havens for expressing the hills and valleys of our journey?

Fascinated by these verses in Galatians-in the Message

• careful exploration of who you are
• careful exploration of the work you have been given
• sink yourself into what you have been given
• don't be impressed with yourself
• don't compare
• take responsibility
• do your creative best with your own life

Galatians 6:4-5

The Message (MSG)

^4-5 Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.


Dear Heavenly Father,
 May we be the gateway encouragers to each other. May we seek your face as the audience of ONE. May the hope that we have in Jesus be the doorway into prayer conversations with you. May we continue to use prayer tools that give meaning to this journey and help us to see the writing of your design on each of our lives. In the name of Jesus. Amen.