The following "Question" was asked by an attendee at the 2003 Shepherds' Conference (a ministry of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California), and was "Answered" by John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed from the CD, #SC1007, titled "General Session #5 John MacArthur - Q&A."  A copy of the CD, cassette tape, or MP3 can be obtained by going to:  www.shepherdsconference.org  ©2003. All Rights Reserved. Grace Community Church.

Questioner

How can we, as the body of Christ, minister to grace and pray for you consistently? What would be the most primary prayer that you would request for us to pray and lift you up?

John MacArthur's Answer

I appreciate your desire to pray for us. You know, just think about what it is that you need in your life and what you would desire as a pastor, and just put that in your prayers for me. You know, I’m no different than any of you are. I suppose I am what I am in reference to ministry for no reason other than Holy Spirit-giftedness, God’s providential sovereign placement, and, at the end of the day, the power of the truth. So, I deal with the same issues that everybody deals with, as a man.

I am, in all honesty, sort of always in a state of perpetual surprise that all of this happens. You know, I sometimes will say to Patricia, “You know I’m waiting to go on a Sunday when nobody comes.” You know, it’s amazing to me. I mean, I look out over this, from the first day we began on a Wednesday, and I’m just sort of shaking my head and saying, “Why are they here? Why is this happening?” So, I think that there’s a real sense in which whatever it is that you look at in your life and you know that you need the strength and the power and the wisdom of God for, mine would be exactly the same. There wouldn’t be any difference. So, I just appreciate your prayers along all those lines.

The personal aspects: time, preparation, clarity of mind, spiritual issues in my own life, wisdom in dealing with people, strength, endurance—all of those things—faithfulness. And I think praying for the men who are around me and the men and women who are a part of this church, of course—all of those things.

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur's Questions and Answers" by:

Tony Capoccia
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