RTN Atlanta

This morning we had the incredible opportunity to celebrate four young women who have all completed different stages of their education, graduating with a high school diploma an associates degree, a bachelors degree, and a masters degree. Congratulations ladies! We pray that God continues to bless you and direct you in these new chapters you are beginning.

This morning we had the incredible opportunity to celebrate four young women who have all completed different stages of their education, graduating with a high school diploma an associates degree, a bachelors degree, and a masters degree. Congratulations ladies! We pray that God continues to bless you and direct you in these new chapters you are beginning.

https://youtu.be/HMTZIkjhwDE

We have spent the last month sharing facts and statistics about what is like for pastors to lead their churches and pursue God's calling on their lives while giving you practical ways to pray for pastors. Being a pastor is difficult and can often feel very isolating. It is our prayer for you that your love and support of your pastor and ours goes far beyond pastor appreciation month. These facts and statistics are true every month, not just October, and your pastor needs your... support year-round. Reach out to your pastor and those in ministry around them. Ask how they're doing. Let them know that you're praying for them and what God has put on your heart to pray over them. Ask them for tangible ways in which you can support them. Volunteer to help with a ministry because we promise you your pastor will be able to name at least one ministry where he could use an extra set of hands. Support your pastor because he has given his life to lead the members of your church and nurture them spiritually. Your pastor loves you very much and spends his life loving you well. Take some time out of your day to return the favor. See more

Today, on the last day of pastor appreciation month, we ask that you join us in praying blessings over our pastor. "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." - Numbers 6:24-26

We have talked a lot this month about how lonely and isolating ministry can feel. Join us in praying today that our pastor would be surrounded by love and that he would be filled. "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ..." - Ephesians 3:17-18 "'Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you w...ill not be shaken, nor my covenant of peace be removed,' says the Lord, who has compassion on you." - Isaiah 54:10 Please feel free to share any thoughts or prayers God has placed on your heart in the comments below.

57% of pastors feel fulfilled yet discouraged, stressed, and fatigued. 75% report feeling extremely stressed or highly stressed. 70% constantly fight depression. Join us in praying against these things in our pastor's life, and if they are present for him, please pray that God would replace them with joy. "You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." - Psalm 16:11 "Sing the praises of the Lord, ...you his faithful people; praise his holy name." - Psalm 30:4 Please feel free to share any thoughts or prayers God has placed on your heart in the comments below.

65% of pastors feel they have not taken enough vacation time with their families over the last 5 years. 78% of pastors report having their vacation and personal time interrupted with ministry duties or expectations. Join us in praying that our pastor would experience abundant peace and rest in his spirit. "I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint." - Jeremiah 31:25 "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of... you." - 2 Thessalonians 3:16 Please feel free to share any thoughts or prayers God has placed on your heart in the comments below.

Here are ten practical ways to encourage your pastor...

All month we have talked about what is difficult about being in ministry and pastoring a multiethnic church. It can be exhausting and discouraging. We have prayed for our pastor to be strengthened in various ways for various reasons. For the rest of the month, we want to focus on praying for rest and renewal for our pastor. Today, join us in praying that our pastor would be encouraged. Specifically, please pray that he would see some of the fruit of his labor. Failure to see... fruit or positive results of work is a leading cause of burnout in those in ministry. This is a particularly significant element for men in ministry. We ask that you would pray that our pastor would regularly see fruit resulting from his labor. "In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole worldjust as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God's grace." - Colossians 1:6 Please feel free to share any thoughts or prayers God has placed on your heart in the comments below.

35% of pastors battle depression or fear of inadequacy. Knowing each day that you are walking into a spiritual battlefield can be a paralyzing thought. Join us in praying that God would give our pastor an extra helping of courage today. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9 "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong." - 1 Cor...inthians 16:13 Please feel free to share any thoughts or prayers God has placed on your heart in the comments below.

Join us in praying today that God would give strength and endurance to our pastor as he leads faithfully. "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being..." - Ephesians 3:16 Please feel free to share any thoughts or prayers God has placed on your heart in the comments below.

Join us in praying for our pastor today that God would provide everything he needs. Pray that our pastor would feel seen and cared for by the Father and that he would be able to rest well, able to trust in His good provision. "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:19 "So do not worry saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after these things, and you...r heavenly Father knows that you need them." - Matthew 6:31-32 Please feel free to share any thoughts or prayers God has placed on your heart in the comments below.

Living every day in the world of ministry, frequently encountering spiritual warfare is exhausting and frustrating. Please pray with us today that our pastor would have endurance and patience. "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9 "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." - 2 ...Corinthians 4:8-9 Please feel free to share any thoughts or prayers God has placed on your heart in the comments below.

"When you lead, teach, and influence, you’re threatening the boundaries of hell’s territory. And there, the spiritual warfare will be fierce!"

As we mentioned in a previous post, spiritual warfare is common and heavy for those in ministry. Join us in praying for protection for our pastor as he leads our church. "The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him." - Psalm 34:7-8 "But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one." - 2 Thessalonians 3:3... Please feel free to share any thoughts or prayers God has placed on your heart in the comments below.

Cross-cultural ministry is difficult and confusing. It is easy to look at what is happening in our ministry and ask ourselves what God is doing. In times of spiritual attack, it can be difficult to trust what God is doing when it doesn't make sense to us. Join us in praying today for our pastor to be able to confidently stand firm in his willingness to trust God. "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called... you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people..." - Ephesians 1:18 "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." - Matthew 11:29 Please feel free to share any thoughts or prayers God has placed on your heart in the comments below.