Tuesday, July 19, 2016

The Ministry of Presence and Encouragement

After Job experienced four tragedies on the same day (Job 1), his friends came to see about him.
In Job 2:11-13, Jobs three friends came together to comfort Job.  They cried when they saw Jobs physical condition, tore their robes, and threw dust in the air.  They grieved deeply for their friend.  Look at Job 1:13:  "Then they sat down on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights with no one speaking a word to him, for they saw that his pain was very great."

This is a great picture for the ministry of presence.  The next piece is not only being present with people experiencing tragedy, but saying the right thing at the right moment.
Job's friends attacked Job instead of encouraging him.  Instead of feeling with Job, they felt they needed to explain why Job was in his horrible condition.  Please avoid such insensitive behavior.

Christians, we do not need to explain people's tragedy to them.  We need to be with them physically, and encourage them.  
Pulling people together for pray is a powerful source of encouragement even for non-Christians.
What do you pray?  Pray about what happened, the pain the family feels, and ask God to give them comfort, strength, courage, direction, encouragement, etc.
Ask God to work on the person(s) behalf.

This type of care goes a long way with people who are hurting.

Christians, let us be present for people in their tragedy, and be a source of encouragement.

God Bless,

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.

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