I publicly pray before I start my sermons. I also privately pray as I preach.
Multiple things go through the preacher's mind during a sermon. The mind quickly and constantly shifts from one thing to another. They might be passing impressions, valuable insights, or thoughts that can sidetrack or discourage us.
This is why I pray as I preach.
Over the years I've realized there are three fundamental things I need God to do as I preach.
1. I need God to guide my thoughts.
Have you ever tried to pray, only to have your mind flooded with distractions? The same thing can happen in preaching.
Parishioners walk out to use the bathroom. Babies cry. Children pass notes. Deacons sleep. Some people seem more interested in their cell phones than what you're saying. You spot guests. You notice a faithful member is missing from her regular spot.
There are moments of distraction in preaching when I openly ask God to hold my mind. This petition is secretly and repeatedly uttered throughout the message. The words you say and the thoughts you entertain while preaching are offerings of worship. You need God to bring to memory what he taught in private, to help you stay focused, and to reign in your wandering thoughts so you can do the best job possible of proclaiming his truth.
2. I need God to guard my heart.
Faithful preaching requires mental preparation, concentration, and spiritual devotion. It doesn't matter if your head is in the game if your heart is not.
The preacher should offer the Lord a prepared message, a rested body, and a consecrated heart.
The preacher should offer the Lord a prepared message, a rested body, and a consecrated heart. Examine your heart for any unconfessed sin before you stand to preach, and continue the spiritual examination as you preach.
You may not feel comfortable with the message. You may be afraid of people's disapproval. You may be in a place where you don't feel like preaching. You need God to guard your heart from fear, worry, or discouragement.
A second possible pitfall: the sermon may go exceptionally well! You need God to guard your heart from sinful pride. Either way, it's crucial to ask God to guard your heart as you preach.
3. I need God to govern my words.
I advocate writing full sermon manuscripts for each sermon. Writing out your sermons prevents you from filibustering in the pulpit. That does not mean you should say everything in the manuscript. You need God to edit out what he wants out—and insert what he chooses to add.
The apostle Paul often asked that he would be given the right words to say (Eph. 6:19-20; Col. 4:3-4). This, too, should be our prayer. The pulpit is not a stage for our performance, but the throne of the word of God. The King's herald must be careful not to say anything that is untrue, unwise, or unhelpful.
Standing to preach is dangerous business. The Lord will judge teachers with greater strictness (James 3:1). There are unbelievers, baby Christians, and mature saints in the congregation. Your preaching of the gospel is the fragrance of life to those who being saved and the fragrance of death to those who are perishing. Our preaching of the gospel should be faithful, clear, and compelling. We need God's help to this end. That means praying while we preach.
H.B. Charles, Jr. is pastor of Shiloh Metropolitan Church, Jacksonville, Florida.
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