All who minister know we should put first things first. If we do that, we also know Jesus said, “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness.” We are the children of the King, and sons of God. O Master, let me walk with you. He will never forsake us. We pray that you will give us a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us. David said, in the Psalms, “O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising. Thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Whither shall I go from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me. I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

In the month of May, early in the morning, the Rome Leadership prayer breakfast was sending prayers from The Forum to the throne of God. Donna Chadwick was a perfect coordinator. A host of the ministers in greater Rome, along with prominent citizens, were asking God to bless our people and city. Robert M. Skelton was master of ceremony. It was an impressive event, and it made me proud of our city. Preachers and church leaders prayed for our military, law enforcement and our firemen. Others prayed fervently for our elected officials, our medical community, our business community, our educators and students, our children and family, along with our pastors and church leaders. Every one in The Forum was touched by the hand of God.

Jeremiah said, “Thus saith the Lord, call unto me, and I will answer you, and shew you great and mighty things; which you know not.” (Jeremiah 33:3)

Here are some of the inspiring things I heard:

“Almighty God, we come in the freshness of this day, to praise You for the uncounted blessings you have given. Give us spiritual vision to see our needs and the fortitude to work unceasingly until Thy will is done on earth as it is in heaven. We have failed to love others as you have loved us. Often we have been quick to criticize and slow to forgive.”

Jesus said, “Ask, and it shall be given, seek and you shall find; knock and the door shall be opened unto you.” (Matthew 7:7) You are the source of our existence and the goal of our journey. You have been our dwelling place in all generations. We thank You for loving us. We thank you for trusting us and inviting us to preach the gospel. You have called us and we have answered. You are the sold rock and fortress we lean on. You are the bread of life. You are the light of the world. If we follow you, we shall never walk in the darkness again. You have promised, “As our days, so shall our strength be.”

As the heavens are high above the earth, so are your thoughts higher than our thoughts, and your ways higher than our ways. Without God, we can do nothing, but with God there is nothing we cannot do. God demonstrates his love for us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:3)

We confess our sins. Forgive the unkind word and the hasty criticism. When life is difficult, give us strength. When the way is blurred, let us feel the gentle touch of your guiding hand.

When we do not get our way, keep us faithful to the spirit and mind of our Lord. God is good, no matter what the day brings. Never leave your house unless you have a positive attitude. It has been said, “Happiness, if you are not very careful, will find a way to sneak in through a door you didn’t know you left open.” Never forget, God will never give us a burden which we cannot carry. God will never desert you. He will be on time.

Lord, give us a clean heart and renew a right spirit in us. We thank You and pray for our ministers. We pray for our members and those hungry souls who come searching for the Bread of Life. We remember with never-ending love and gratitude our Lord’s goodness.

Robert V. Ozment is a retired United Methodist minister.