A prayer for ministry

There are reasons ministries grow and there are reasons they don’t.

Peter, giving advice on this exact issue, gives a seven-part checklist. This is, as he says, to “keep from being ineffective or unfruitful” (2 Peter 1:5-8):

1. Virtue

Are you honest? And pure? If not, what can you add or subtract?

2. Knowledge

Consider your skill-set. Is it enough or do you do need to learn something new?

3. Self-control

Do what you should, even when you don’t feel like it. (I have a book on that.)

4. Steadfastness

Have the right outlook: If you’re doing the rest on this list, good things still take time.

5. Godliness

Is God your first priority? Would your calendar (or bank) confirm that?

6. Brotherly affection

Life is about real relationships. Going without is a miss.

7. Love

Do you want to see people and the world as God does?

If you’re in a rut. Go back through the list. They’re all helpful. But I’d say number four is the most overlooked.

P.S.

Did you hear? My new book, A Year of Sabbaths, is out. I put it right here.