Several years ago, a frustrated and downhearted pastor had a heavy heart. You knew he was a true and loving pastor, because he was burdened for his congregation. No one on the outside probably could relate to his problems and frustrations. His story is the story of so many Pastors around our world. Pastors are human, too, and discouragement, disappointment and even frustration can set in quickly.

This same pastor got the idea of sharing his heart with his community. He decided to do the unthinkable – write out his burdens in a column in the local newspaper. And, that’s exactly what he did. Below are the words that this pastor wrote, several years ago, in his local newspaper.

I called this pastor and received his permission to write out what he wrote in his darkest hours. It is my prayer that you, the reader, would understand the frustrations that pastors can go through. Secondly, it is my prayer that you would feel the burden that this pastor had for his congregation. Truly, may God give us Christians in this community that will be sensitive to the Lord’s leading in their lives.

I am tired of praises on Sunday and curses the next day.
I long for right living and God having His way.

I am tired of ungodly, hypocritical living-
I long for people who are holy and self-giving.

I am tired of people arguing, wanting to fight-
I long for someone who is doing what’s right.

I am tired of belittling, criticizing wives-
I long for beautiful, submissive lives.

I am tired of husbands who won’t spiritually lead-
I long for men who will hear God and heed!

I am tired of people who whimper and whine-
I long for Overcomers who’ll abide in the Vine.

I am tired of people staying in sin-
I long for people who are changed within.

I am tired of spiritual sticks in the mud-
I long for hearts washed in the sanctified blood.

I am tired of foul language and ungodly jokes.
I long for wholesome talk from kind, Godly folk.

I am tired of the focus on how much we’ve spent-
I long for people who will tithe 10 percent.

I am tired of religions that embrace what is wrong-
I long for lives filled with victory, hearts filled with a song.

I am tired of excuses for why people sin-
I long for holiness in children, women and men.

I am tired of people embracing darkness and night-
I long for everyone to walk in the light.

I am tired of people who only talk the talk –
I long for someone who will walk the walk.

I am tired of young children and teens with sad faces-
I long for all youth to take their spiritual places.

I am tired of people who only want to be served-
I long for servants who’ve responded to God’s word.

I am tired of bitterness, backbiting, gossip and such-
I long for effectual prayers that availeth so much!

I am tired of families that aren’t getting along-
I long for Jesus to fill them with a new song.

I am tired of people still being so lost-
I long for real Christians who have counted the cost.

I am tired of bad language, hatred and strife-
I long for kindness and goodness filled our life.

I am tired of drugs, alcohol, and other abuses-
I long for victory instead of excuses.

I am tired of souls so helpless and bound-
I long for new life in Christ to be found.

I am tired of unhappiness, sad eyes, broken hearts-
I long for the joy and hope God imparts.

I am tired of self-will, disobedience and sin-
I long for self-will to be conquered within.

I am tired of souls that are empty inside-
I long for the Spirit of Truth to abide.

I am tired of ungodly armor that gives us no might-
I long for God’s armor to fight the good fight.

I am tired of the results of sin and disgrace-
I long for souls trusting in God’s holy grace.

I am tired of anyone that is comfortable with hell-
I long for the stories new converts will tell.

I am tired of the devil’s deceiving and lying-
I long for believers who always keep trying.

So, you see, there are a lot of good things on my heart,
And I know we can make it, if only we’ll start.

For faith is the victory, God is the light.
The Spirit is truth, just walk in His might.

Let’s all go to heaven, not one of us fall-
For God’s great salvation is offered to all.

It was a blessing and huge encouragement to see and hear our Lt. Governor, Mrs. Becky Skillman, lead hundreds of people in prayer at the Statehouse, this past week. Hundreds of pastor’s, individuals, and legislators attended the 8th annual Prayer meeting at the Statehouse this past week, as our State legislators are back in session, in Indiana. Daniel Webster, one of America’s greatest politicians and statesmen, said this, “If God and his word are not known and received, the devil and his works will gain the ascendancy; if the evangelical volume does not reach every hamlet, the pages of a corrupt and licentious literature will; if the power of the Gospel is not felt throughout the length and breadth of the land, anarchy and misrule, degradation and misery, corruption and darkness will reign.”

His words, though not popular in today’s society, are so true. Our culture is degrading into anarchy and ungodliness – yet very few care or are numb to the cultural slide away from truth, God, and the Cross of Calvary. There are glimmers of hope we can experience, even in today’s decaying culture. This was demonstrated this week at the Statehouse, as hundreds gathered to give thanks and honor to Jesus Christ. Recognizing their need for God’s help, many legislators came and prayed at the annual prayer meeting.

I had the privilege to set next to our Lt. Governor and offer prayers on behalf of our churches. This awesome privilege to pray, publicly, at the statehouse, was not only honoring but humbling as well. To hear our Lt. Governor thank me, personally, for serving as a pastor in Indiana, and to hear her offer praise and glory to our Great God gives me a motivation to continue on to serve here – in Indiana!

Many of our local representatives were at the prayer meeting, as well. Representative Eric Turner sat directly behind me, as well as our state senator, Mr. Jim Buck. Both gladly attended the prayer meeting, along with countless other legislators from across Indiana. The air was tense, as thousands of union protesters filled the Statehouse to voice their opinions regarding upcoming legislation. But, many of the union protesters came to the prayer meeting, as well, which showed a spirit of unity in the statehouse – at least for the time the prayer meeting took place.

Indiana has a lot to be proud of, and we certainly can thank those in government who do care and who do desire to please the Lord. God loves politicians, and so should we! In a world where growing numbers of people are becoming disconnected with local politics, it’s refreshing to see a growing number of Bible-believing Christians as well as citizens that feel America is still important and the political process is still a sacred duty in our society.

So, as we continue to press on in 2012, let’s not forget to pray for our legislators and let’s not forget about those in government who truly want to serve and make a difference. God’s Word tells us to pray for those in authority as well as submit to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake (see I Peter 2:13-17). Let’s not forget those who pass our laws, govern our state, and work tirelessly to provide a government by the people and for the people!

Wherever you go these days, you hear people say, “Happy New Year!” Most of us look forward to a new year. Of course, we don’t know what the year will bring. Some would say that 2011 was the best year of their lives, others would say it was one of the worst years. Whatever your situation brings, it truly is my prayer that 2012 will be a good year for you and your family.

The Bible Illustrator has a wonderful description of what the New year looks like. I hope you like what The Bible Illustrator writes...

“I am the New Year. I am an unspoiled page in your book of time. I am your next chance at the art of living. I am your opportunity to practice what you have learned about life during the last twelve months. All that you sought and didn’t find is hidden in me, waiting for you to search it but with more determination. All the good that you tried for and didn’t achieve is mine to grant when you have fewer conflicting desires. All that you dreamed but didn’t dare to do, all that you hoped but did not will, all the faith that you claimed but did not have—these slumber lightly, waiting to be awakened by the touch of a strong purpose. I am your opportunity to renew your allegiance to Him who said, "Behold, I make all things new."

I want to personally wish you a wonderful, God-filled and God-honoring New Year! The days ahead are truly unspoiled, bringing a new chance for living abundantly. The twelve months ahead lay new opportunities to serve the Living God! May each of us have new opportunities and new goals to achieve in 2012. And, just maybe 2012 will be the year when our Lord and Risen Savior, Jesus Christ, comes again! Happy New Year!