Ministry by Paranoia

Paranoia is a thought process heavily influenced by anxiety or fear. Many people minister by paranoia – fearful of what someone might think or say. In my younger days, working hard to be liked and fearing rejection, I practiced ministry through paranoia. Basically I liked to be liked and I feared failure. Jesus, on the other hand, was never anxious or intimidated by what others thought. After He called Zacchaeus down from the tree, He walked with him through the streets of Jericho, unafraid of the watching crowd or the wagging tongues. He was intent on going to the home of a rather notorious sinner where not only Zacchaeus, but the entire household would be saved. Deuteronomy 31:6 says, “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” Lord, deliver my friends and me from ministry by paranoia.

Join me this week in prayer for these global concerns:
• Friday evening Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) begins. This is the most solemn day in the Jewish year. Pray for your Jewish friends and those who minister among them.
• Pray for Trey and Elise as move into their capital city of Zagreb and for their future ministry there.
• Last week the Logos Hope Operation Mobilization ship arrived in Malta. The 400+ Christian crew doubles the amount of believers in Malta. Pray for their ministry.
• Pray for Church Starting Strategists from all over North American as they meet this week in Vancouver, Canada.