Alistair Begg Encourages Us to Pray for Our Pastors
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina
Expensive Good friend,
I’m scripting this letter from the campus of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina. It’s my humble privilege to have been invited to ship the 2025 Adams Lecture Collection on preaching. Being within the firm of the seminary’s school and the scholars they’re making ready for pastoral ministry offers a powerful reminder of the immense privilege and accountability of being known as by God to shepherd the folks of God.
Final night, when addressing the preaching of Martyn Lloyd-Jones, I used to be struck once more by the mighty battle that confronted Lloyd-Jones when he sensed the decision of God to step away from his medical follow to tackle the pastorate of what was little greater than a mission corridor in Port Talbot, South Wales. There was no earthly cause why this younger physician and his wife-to-be (additionally a physician) would depart the safety and status of St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London for such a frightening prospect.
The church secretary, who’s to be recommended for his honesty, knowledgeable Lloyd-Jones of the character of the district to which he was going, describing it as a group of “not less than 5000 males, ladies and kids dwelling for essentially the most half in sordid and overcrowded circumstances …. Nearly 90 per cent of those folks don’t attend anyplace of worship, for there’s a gross indifference amongst the respectable working class kind, while a depravity born of sin enmeshes the good majority. The bookie, publican and prostitute prosper right here and instantly problem us.”
Writing to his future brother-in-law, Martyn Lloyd-Jones mentioned, “Nothing can or will stop my going about to inform folks of ‘the excellent news.’”
Lloyd-Jones was arguably the best preacher in England within the twentieth century. He was born in 1899, simply seven years after the loss of life of Spurgeon, who, in making ready younger males for ministry, didn’t cover from them the challenges awaiting them. “Brothers,” Spurgeon wrote, “our work is solemnly momentous, involving good or ailing to 1000’s; we cope with souls for God on everlasting enterprise.” In mild of the problem, he urged his congregation to hope for him and his fellow ministers as a result of, he mentioned, “we’re depressing males if we miss the assistance of your prayers.” His message was “Could God assist me, when you stop to hope for me! Let me know the day, and I have to stop to evangelise. Let me know whenever you intend to stop your prayers, and I shall cry, ‘O my God, give me this present day my tomb, and let me slumber within the mud.’”
I do know that a few of you might have inspired your pastor to be current this month for Fundamentals 2025. As we collect, we will likely be upheld by your prayers for God to pour out the riches of His grace and encourage us to be sober-minded, to be ready to endure struggling, to do the work of evangelism, and to discharge all of the duties of our ministry.
With my love within the Lord Jesus,
Alistair
