This is the Truth Network. Encouraging prayer. God offers an open invitation for his people to talk with him at any time about anything. On encouraging prayer, Dr. James Banks, author of the best-selling Prayers for Prodigals and many other books on prayer, provides weekly biblical insight to help you learn to love to pray.
And now, here's James.
So, another amazing topic today on encouraging prayer: how to pray. When you are church hurt.
So, James, I absolutely resemble that comment. I think we both do. I think a lot of people do. And that's why this is such a good topic, Robbie, because. You know, it's it's challenging waters to navigate, especially when you're right in the middle of it, isn't it?
Oh, it is. The scripture is so clear, you know, on unity and Love for your brothers in Matthew 18. And so I'm anxious to see where you're going with this. And Jesus prayed for the unity of the church. And there are a couple of different ways to look at this.
First of all, as we talk about this topic, my heart goes out to pastors. because I have known so many pastors. Who have been chewed up and spit out by a church before. And having had that happen to me, or at least the Left Foot of Fellowship at one time, me too. I know your feelings.
I can understand it and resonate with it. But. At the same time, we also want to speak to the hearts of those Who have been harmed by malpractice on the part of pastors. Or others in the church. And this is such a sensitive topic.
And that is why the most important thing that we can do when we have been church hurt. Run to Jesus. Uh and You know, do not Pasco, do not collect $200. No. Run to Jesus.
immediately. Because There's no other place to be than at his feet for this, right? Oh, I couldn't agree more. And just like in other real tests that you go through, you will find his grace sufficient. amazingly Um in these times, like any other time, you're really going through some.
Yeah, yeah, you will, but in order to get it, again, you've got to be with him. And that can be hard when you've been church hurt, but the important thing to realize. is that whatever the hurt may be, know that Jesus didn't cause it. And that there is no greater healer than he is. And he wants to meet you in that place.
And there are beautiful things. Actually, you know, when I was church, it ended up becoming an incredible experience in my life after the fact because God brought such good. Out of it. But, you know, at the time it was downright demonic. And there were circumstances that you just think, my goodness, how did we get there?
So again, the only way to get through is is to run to Jesus. And I'll never forget one day years ago, it's been over 20 years, but Well, over twenty years. I was down. I was so down. And I'm Sitting at my Breakfast look Table.
and the light is is shining through the window. And I'm just putting one foot in front of the other. And I just got up and I'm reading my Bible. And I'm just holding on for anything that I can't. And I start to read Matthew 5 through 11, which says, Blessed are you.
When You know, men insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you on account of me. Uh rejoice and be glad. For great is your reward. in heaven. And The Lord spoke to me personally through those words.
in such a way that it it changed my perspective entirely. on what I was going through. And I will never forget that moment as long as I live. Because interestingly, and again, especially for pastors in this. You know, what an opportunity to become more like Jesus.
Right? Oh, yeah. It is the absolute worst of times. You know, because. To be betrayed, to be, you know, which you feel like people acting disgraceful, you know, all these things that you never saw coming.
Um, And yet.
Well, I think it's a good idea. Um if you push in and you stay in. Um it may not be in a few weeks, it may not be in a few months, it may not be in a few years. But there's no doubt when we get to heaven, we'll look back and go, Oh my goodness, God, you were doing something amazing in the midst of this. And sometimes, not just for us, but for other people that are involved in the in watching what goes on and how you react um as you're faced with the trials, right?
Yeah, yeah, that that's so true. And the other reason why we need to run to Jesus so hard and so fast is that we have to get our forgiveness for him. Yeah, from him. And are we we Because sometimes we are, let's just be honest, unable to forgive. We can say, yes, I forgive, but then you find it just keeps coming back like a bad horror movie ending, you know?
I mean, and I like that analogy. Yes, it does. It feels exactly like that. You know, in our flesh, that's where we go. But.
If through His Spirit, We can say, Lord, I know what I need to do, you know. Um help me, help me. And there are great instances of this. Like Corey Tenboom tells a great story about that that that I won't get into, but but literally about forgiving the you know, the Nazi prison guard who was uh instrumental in the death of of her sister. But she actually got love even for that man.
from Jesus, and it amazed her. And so, no matter what we have been through, if you're the victim of church malpractice. You know, pastoral malpractice, or if you're a pastor who's been chewed up by a church. Run to Jesus and get your forgiveness. From him.
as well. Because He can help you and build you and bless you. And then also, if we still have a moment on this, another thing that he does while we run to him is he also helps us examine ourselves. Right? He says, first look at the log in your own eye.
And so he can help us there and lead us to. Uh a new place. It's a great place to pray, really. Lord, I thank you that you put this topic on James's heart. And I thank you for the listeners that are relating even now.
I thank you that he's given us. This idea we kind of knew that we're to run to you, Lord. Help us to do that. Help us. Two.
get our forgiveness from you when it seems so hard. and to help us to examine ourselves. Help us to see what you have for us in this season. as you always have amazing things for us. In Jesus' name I pray.
Amen. Amen. You can hear more from Pastor James by visiting his website, jamesbanks.org, or by visiting Peace Church in Durham, North Carolina. May God bless you and encourage you as you pray.
