I really work hard to not make this blog about me, but today I could really use your prayers. I’ve got several things going on which are humbling me, wrecking me and reminding me that I need to rely on God more than ever before.
-I’m working with my editor to finish up my edits for “Plan B.” We’re having to do a hurry-up-job and get it finalized by October 26th to turn back in to Thomas Nelson. This process is wearing me out as I don’t do well with the tedious nature of line by line edits. I really believe in the message of this book and want to do everything I possible can to make it’s message as clear as possible.
-This weekend we’re launching a new series entitled Faith Hope & Love at all of our Cross Point campuses. On Sunday I’ll be sharing some very exciting things about our next season of ministry as a church. Things I’ve dreamed and prayed about for years are finally coming to pass. I really believe this series will challenge us and stretch our faith. The next 5 weeks have the potential to revolutionize our church like never before.
-When I was in India back in the Spring God broke my heart for a particular slum in Kolkata. Since I’ve been back I’ve been working hard to launch a new non-profit organization called “Cries Of Love.” Just this past month Cross Point committed to help start and support a school and feeding center in this particular slum.
Yesterday, I received word the slum had been destroyed by the government. As a result most of the men in the community have abandoned their families and the women and children have been left alone to fend for themselves. While most of their homes were made of old tires, cardboard and scrap wood it was still all they had. I can’t imagine how scared they must all be.
I’m heartbroken over the latest turn of events but more sure than ever before God has called us to help this community.
So what’s going on with you? How can we pray for you today?
Let’s turn this into an old fashioned prayer meeting.
You got it!
I’m trying to finalize preparations for our church’s womens retreat this weekend and dealing with a sick kid. Prayers would be appreciated.
.-= Heidi´s last blog ..Fall =-.
I’m praying for you and for Brandi and the boys during this busy and stressful time.
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” ~James 1:27
God has called Crosspoint to serve in India and that has a sense of urgency in it in light of the recent events.
Praying for stamina, discernment, steadfastness, and acton, over the next few days, weeks, months for you and God’s ministries.
I need employment and have a few upcoming interviews (one on Wed.) – please pray for wisdom and discernment, and open doors….thank you!
I have a good family friend who had her 2nd stroke within the past year last weekend. The first stroke affected her left side and now this one has affected her right side and she has lost her ability to speak. She’s being treated at Duke but could use all the prayers she could get. Also, please pray for the men and women who are deployed right now!
Pete, you’ve got my prayers and so does everyone else!!
Thanks!! Have a great day!
Pete, you’ve got the prayers! And I will also be praying for your family.
I suppose how you can pray for me today is just listening to what God wants me to do. I have several “dreams” about the future for my family and me, and there are times I find myself becoming incredibly impatient with God’s timing. But, in the end, I know His timing is perfect. I just have to wait, pray, and try to learn the art of patience.
.-= diane´s last blog ..Ponytails and Pajamas =-.
I’ll be keeping you in prayer Pete.
As for me…pray for my marriage to strengthen and for God to show me my “mark.”
.-= Jason´s last blog ..I’m glad I didn’t win the trip to Catalyst ’09 =-.
I’m unemployed and broke to the point of having £50 until my next allowance in 2 weeks. I need one, just one, of my job apps to come back positive and SOON.
God is showing me every day how blessed I am with what I have though; compared to some, I live like a queen, and can’t wait until I’m in a position again to share that with others.
.-= Beautiful Intellectual´s last blog ..Smells like home =-.
Pete…thanks for being vulnerable and raw about what you are walking through right now…I value and respect it highly and am thankful there are leaders who are trying to live this out and inviting us into the weakness and pain of their own personal lives. I just want to encourage you to keep pressing into that…the power of your vulnerability displays God’s glory in your life and ministry. Pray for me as i wrestle with intense anxiety over relationships in my life…that i will move forward with courage and trust in who I am in Christ. Thanks again…
Thank you for continuing to be transparent with your heart. I will be purposefully praying over these things in the next few days. It is exciting to hear about the new ways God is continuing to use you and your church. While my heart breaks for those in India who are suffering.
I would just ask for a small prayer…that my husband and I would be patient and faithful in waiting on God. That as He shows us the next steps to take…we would be all eyes and ears. Attentive to His rhythms and ways with eager anticipation.
Blessings.
.-= jessica´s last blog ..Prayer: Distractions =-.
praying for you…
What…why did the government destroy it??
That’s so sad.
I’ll be praying.
Wow, that last bit is really heartbreaking and difficult to understand. I will most definitely be praying…for all your requests but for this little community in India especially. If there is something in addition to praying that we can be doing for them would you put it out here on your blog?
When I read of such devastation I sometimes think my needs are so small. I know God cares about it all though so I’ll just add my request here…need to find a church home in a new town. Thanks!
.-= joyce´s last blog ..Come play! =-.
Oh wow, that is a quite a bit. I’ll be sure to pray.
Please remember us and all our church members as we decide this week what we commit to do and give in our church over the next 3 years. We are buying a new location and want to have it paid off so we can use the income for our community.
.-= Amy´s last blog ..A Daddy’s Kiss =-.
Done, and no need to apologize. Thank you for allowing us to minister to you through prayer.
Keith hurt his arm at work. Please pray for Keith’s arm, for the company’s processes to go faster so he can get back to work, and for us as we work with a slim budget for a little while.
.-= Anita´s last blog ..Homeless No More! =-.
Uh, hard to think in light of what’s happened to the people in the slum at Kolkata. I will be in prayer for them, for your project with them, to find a way to still meet the needs of those dear people who so desperately need a touch from Christ. So incredible that Cross Point is the ‘hand’ God is using to reach them.
I’ll pray for your editing process. It is tedious, but you have a seed in your heart for an idea God wants to have bloom in other peoples lives. We’re all excited about your book! You are in our prayers, Pete.
For my own book and rewrites and to make the Mt. Hermon Writer’s conference in 2010 to pitch the series. For homeschool, to meet my son’s needs. For a deeper personal study time in the Word.
Thank you.
.-= Tina Dee´s last blog ..Beautiful Mess: The Story of Diamond Rio with Tom Roland: Book Review for Thomas Nelson Publishers =-.
Praying for a new job. I was on medical leave, and after discussions with my employer, it’s best that I not return to that position.
I’m preparing to become a pastor (starting Bible college in January) so praying that I stay focused and dedicated to what God has called me to be, and do for His Kingdom.
Blessings!
Will definitely keep these in prayer. Keep on truckin’, Pete! That book will be a great tool for many, I’m sure.
Lifting you, your family, Crosspoint, and those folks in India right after I click “send”.
Appreciate you, bro.
.-= John Wright´s last blog ..The Parable of the Spa (part 2) =-.
Pete, rest in the knowledge that ALL of this is known by the Father. He knows your needs, your concerns, and the desires of your heart.
Walk in faith and don’t let the Enemy stress you out with all that you’re to do, and all that you cannot do.
March on!
I pray that God will give you the strength to get through this all.
Prayer for the innocents in India and for you as you work on their behalf.
Please pray for my mother; I’ve just this morning received word she’s not doing well.
.-= pendy´s last blog ..Crazy for Chairs =-.
Will be praying for you and those in India
My marriage is really really struggling
And on a silly note, I am needing to purchase a car. I am trying to do the right thing and get a beat up old accord (go the Dave ramsey way) but my pride is struggling with it…silly,right, in light of the folks in india loosing everything? But for some reason, I am struggling with wanting a minivan…sigh…stupid fleshly wants!
Pete, I’m definitely praying!!!!!
.-= Lauren Kelly´s last blog ..Fashion with a little bit of chocolate mixed in! =-.
I’ll be offering up today for you and the people in India. Hearing about those families just wrecks me. If there is anything we can do to help, please let us know.
Praying for you, Pete, and these needs you’ve laid out for us.
Thanks for asking Pete. My list would be long…..but I’ll give you the short version:
1) Pray for me as I transition in ministry. I just resigned from my position as worship pastor at a church I helped plant 11 years ago. To say this has been hard would be an understatement. Pray for me to be sensitive to how God would use my life in this new era of ministry. I feel particularly called to minister to leaders.
2) I too am in the midst of starting a non-profit. Its called The Give Worship Project to offer training for indigenous worship leaders in developing countries. Pray for this to get off the ground and – of course – to be funded.
3) Pray for my family as I re-learn how to pay closer attention to my family, my husband and my own soul.
praying that you feel how DEEP and WIDE and HIGH is the love of our Father.
.-= Courtney´s last blog ..are you crazy?? or safe? =-.
I’m a college student in NC and I’m asking for prayer for strength. I’m always being tempted to go down the wrong path of drinking and partying and I’ve never done those things before but the temptation is definitely there. I just need to gather on God’s strength and would love prayer.
and I will definitely be keeping you and your family in my prayers and the slum and the rest of the prayers listed will be on my heart too.
Praying for all. Hang in there.
.-= katdish´s last blog ..What DO you do with a Voodoo Doberman? (by Stephanie Wetzel) =-.
Why did the men abandon their families? That is terrible.
@heidi, you reminded me that I’ve got two sick kids at home as well. You can add that the the prayer list as well.
@Nikole, My understanding is the men were afraid of being arrested by the government. In fear they took off when the slum was raided and the women and children have been left to fend for themselves.
@anna, almost all slums are built on government owned property. Sounds like there was some political pressure from the surrounding community to do away with the “slum”. The government reserved the right to destroy these slums without warning.
It’s easy for them to destroy people whose voices, in their opinion, don’t count.
Horrible news…will be praying for this situation.
4 years and 12 days ago my wife and I started the process of adopting a little girl from China, yesterday we got to put a face with a name.
Please keep us in prayer as we leave in 4-6 weeks to bring Sophie home!
Praying for you Pete! Love the post…don’t carry these burdens on your own shoulders…there are no Supermen, that’s why we are called to community.
If New Passion can do anything to help w/the India situation, we’d love to, our team is small but our people have hearts like Giants!
As for me…I need prayer for balance right now. Just started a new church, working a full time job (to pay the bills) and trying to be a husband and a father to 3. Some days I’m just tired.
.-= Nick´s last blog ..Revolutionary Change through Water =-.
My brother relapsed yesterday. He needs some serious prayer to start turning his eyes back to the Lord.
@pete: ok, i know this is going to sound simplistic, but how much money would have to be raised to buy property in India for them to relocate and not be in fear of the gov’t?
.-= gitz´s last blog ..Blog Peep Questions: Cushing Edition =-.
My husband left me and our children on Thursday night, I am hurting and drawing near to my God. BUT, my children are missing their Daddy and I hurt for them. This last year has been very, very hard and God has shown up in some mighty ways, I am trusting him through the process and that his outcome may not be what I had in mind but it’s for his glory.
Thank you for always showing your heart.
In God’s Love, sheila
Pete, I am praying. I read about the slum in India yesterday and my mind can not wrap around what is going on there. I am praying for the health of your family as well. I have one just getting over the flu and I know it’s hard watching your little ones be sick.
Prayer for me? I want to fall in love with and be obsessed with Jesus. I also don’t want anyone else in my house to get sick!
Sheila, praying for your family. Kayla, praying for your brother and your family. Shelby, praying for you. As someone who went down that road, let me assure you, it’s hollow and not what it seems to be.
@Sheila Harris, I can’t imagine what you guys must be going through. Stopping right now to pray for your entire family.
.-= Pete Wilson´s last blog ..Wanted:Your Prayers =-.
Hi Pete! I will be praying for you, Brandi and the boys as well as for our brothers and sisters in India… I pray that God’s glory only be magnified in this situation, knowing that he doesn’t forget his children!!
I would appreciate prayers for my parents and my grandmother – she was just diagnosed with the medium stages of alzheimer’s – she’s scared and my parents are trying to figure out how to take care of her while living almost 1,000 miles away…
.-= Rachel´s last blog ..So… I AM ENGAGED. =-.
Praying for you. That this book will make a giant impact – on you and its readers.
What is it that you always say that punches me in the gut every time, “that God is more into building our character than our comfort?”
.-= Lindsey Nobles´s last blog ..Catalyst ‘O9, Quick Highlights =-.
I am praying. Been to India myself, and I can imagine how things must be for them now. Will definitely pray.
I am praying to have God find me the right home church. I am looking for a church with a good singles group and a place where I can really serve God. I am looking at a church on Sunday, so pray that I can find the right church.
I also need prayers to find me a right program for me at the Louisiana department for the blind, I ask that god finds me a right program where i can also help me serve God and be able to learn how to cope in my declining eye sight. I got a referral from my dr and have an appointment tommorow.
I will pray for the women and children in India and also pray for pastor pete to find balance in his life and find a solution to the editing of plan b
.-= mike mikovich´s last blog ..We need to protect Rifqa Bary =-.
Pete, you know how crazy I am about CP and I’m not even there….I’m praying for you, the church, the book, clarity, focus, passion, courage, and pure obedience to Him!!!!!!!
Also, a prayer request for me? General, but needed…I want to be altered by Him and His work in me right now. I want to forever changed. I want to truly be radically different on the other side of this!!!
Thank you!!!
.-= Fran´s last blog ..Life=hard =-.
Thanks for asking for prayer, Pete. You continue to lead by example.
I am heartbroken for the people in India and praying for them. Also, I have prayed for each of the dear requests on the blog.
My 4-yr-old nephew, Max, has H1N1 and is very sick — now it is spreading through my brother’s family. Please pray for healing for them.
What a blessing to use this medium to pray for the needs of others.
You, your family and the church are in my prayers! God is great and I know he will deliver for you!
On another note, Personally my family and I are battling some really hard times! Please keep us in your prayers also! Thanks!
praying for you, babe!
.-= brandiandboys´s last blog ..Crazy Love – Chapter 5 =-.
Pete, I’m in tears for the slum in India and praying for them and for God to give you the understanding of what your next step is for them. I’m sure your book will be a masterpiece. I hope to get to read it one day. Prayers are needed as I continue to care for the elderly (and when it’s family it makes it even harder!). I’m still with CPCC in spirit and continue to follow your sermons and blogs. In prayer through the only One that does hear our prayers and faithfully answers them — Jesus Christ our Lord. Elaine
Well the slum thing just kills me. I was in India in 2007 with a non-profit called Dalit Freedom Network. Be sure I’m praying for you and them. My heart bleeds for the women and children.
I read your stuff on Twitter here in the UK. I like to get insights on what pastors and leaders have on various topics.
You hear of slums being cleared on news clips and it’s a shock that humans treat poorer humans like vermin. To hear what has just happened and what the men have done shakes me to the core.
You are raised in our prayers as are those you are trying to reach
its days like today that I see God has this huge dude, I mean GIANT like 50 feet tall with this staff, guarding his people. I mean he would have to be 50 feet tall to take care of you in the South, your heart, your dreams and your sick little ones. To spread the goodness of the gospel to Crosspoint as the vision is cast. Its breathtaking. He has to be huge to take care of the abandoned in Kolcatta, I look around sipping my diet coke, just lunched w/friends, I am fat and sassy and not alone and homeless in a city where the government didn’t see value in my life. I want to help in India and to not have water and clean air be taken for granted but at times I make God so small….. in my own part of this land. As I get down to pray for you all I am speechless for myself and my situations. I am emptying my luggage at the cross without words….. I don’t have any anymore….
i can just tell you this, Mike (hubby) is choosing wine over everything and I can’t survive in that so he must goo. i have never broken up with anything in my life and can’t fathom what that conversation looks like…. but it will have to happen and probably tonight.
.-= Kristi O´s last blog ..Darling Halloween Book =-.
well….same “impossible” prayer request for me. begging God to knit my family back together after divorce. there is not even a glimmer of hope but i know that God loves to do the impossible!! please pray for my kids & myself. (more importantly for the heart of my ex, don)
pete – asking God to bring you to mind so that i can be lifting you in prayer.
.-= sheryl´s last blog ..HE is Moving =-.
Praying for it all!
Realized my comment sounded kind of callous. Hope you didn’t take it that way. I hate that you are worn down in this season and you are certainly in my prayers. God is working in you big time. It’s really exciting to watch.
.-= Lindsey Nobles´s last blog ..Catalyst ‘O9, Quick Highlights =-.
Pete – what can we do to help these families? Can we get any of them here to adopt these families?? Or how can we get there to help? Sending $$ clearly is not enough for this situation!
I’ve been struggling with my obsession of our finances. What started as a struggle of deteriorating income has turned into a full blown paralyzing obsession the last few months. The last couple of years, I’ve tithed regularly in addition to adding to my other financial givings and volunteer time.
So frustration has more than set in while God has pulled all of it out from under me – and it’s been a struggle to balance any continued giving with caring for my family.
The many many cries out for God to bless me while I’ve believed I’m doing all I can, is only turning me to investigate the “why”… God is obviously working on me in a way that when we are blessed again someday, I will utilized those blessings in a different manner. Not really sure how it will change – but the reality of my obsession has just come to light this week, and I feel it is the first step to a long journey with my “addiction” to financial security and yes, shopping.
Your transparency as a leader is inspiring and refreshing… thanks for being honest with the world about the stressful times as well as the blessings. Praying for you that you will feel His peace from the prayers going up for you!
Please pray with me that Jesus will live through me & love through me, the coworkers that are difficult to endure, much less love.
When I am humbled and wrecked I find that I am much more of a spiritual being than I ever knew. God doesn’t need me or you to do His job. He is going to get it done with or without us….but it is from that humbling wrecked posture that I can see how desperately I want to be loving and serving Him and that wordly things are just BS trickery from the devil. You’ve told us before to be wrecked about something. You encourage us to be wrecked and to feel how God feels, as much as we are humanly capable. Without our wrecked and broken hearts, and our humbled spirits….we’re not as motivated. I’m so sorry about the slum in India. Maybe your heart attached to them for such a time as this.
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..A long overdue Video – Beware of Super Cuteness! =-.
Pete,
You,Brandi and the boys are in my prayers daily, but will pray especially hard this week.
Keeping you in my prayers.
Please pray for someone I love who is dealing with addiction
all of the crap Carey & I are and have been going through seems so menial compared to those precious women & children in India. My prayers are now for them as I fix mine eyes upon Him. Lori
Praying! Thank you for sharing your needs with us. It reminds us that pastors are human, too, and need our prayers just as much as we need theirs.
For me? My whole family is sick (all 5 of us). I’m trying to make a decision about something in which there are no good options. Pray that I can find the best route. Also, we’re trying to find a church home.
.-= Rachel´s last blog ..the one in which I rant about whatever is on my mind =-.
@Sheryl, praying for your family. Again, I can’t imagine.
.-= Pete Wilson´s last blog ..Wanted:Your Prayers =-.
@Melissa, yes I think god should wreck your heart for something but I didn’t want him to wreck my heart. That message was for you not ME.
.-= Pete Wilson´s last blog ..Wanted:Your Prayers =-.
@Pete….oops, my bad
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..A long overdue Video – Beware of Super Cuteness! =-.
The wife of one of my fraternity brothers passed away on Monday – she had breast cancer and was only 29 years old (she was also a fraternity brother of mine). She had been fighting breast cancer for 5 years.
And for myself personally – a full time job in 2010 at a college in student services in Nashville. And please do not think this is weird – my future husband. I never started praying for that til this year (and I will be the big 4-1 next Tuesday)
Just found out my back door neighbor/tennis buddy of 20+ years has an aggressive recurrence of her melanoma into her lung. Prayers appreciated. And please know you’re lifted in my prayers tonight, Pete. Praying your kiddos get well soon, too.
.-= Candy´s last blog ..Death Stinks =-.
Thank you Pete for being real and honest. I will be praying for your editing, as when I look back on writing 10 page papers in college, editing those seemed unbearable! And my heart goes out to all those families in India, again humbles you when you think of what they are going through, I find it hard to ask for prayer over my issues.
But prayer is so powerful. I am in the mist of a job that I am having a rough time with — feeling under-appreciate and over- worked .. And trying to have a servant’s heart and seeing the end is near. With that brings the excitement but discouraging thought of what’s next in terms of a job.
Thrilled about the new series at Cross Point.
Thank you Pete for being real and honest. I will be praying for your editing, as when I look back on writing 10 page papers in college, editing those seemed unbearable! And my heart goes out to all those families in India, again humbles you when you think of what they are going through, I find it hard to ask for prayer over my issues.
But prayer is so powerful. I am in the mist of a job that I am having a rough time with — feeling under-appreciate and over- worked .. And trying to have a servant’s heart and seeing the end is near. With that brings the excitement but discouraging thought of what’s next in terms of a job.
Thrilled about the new series at Cross Point.
.-= Krislyn´s last blog ..because she is my best friend. =-.
Christ’s hands extended
Toward the poor and needy
That’s knowing Jesus
http://ChristianHaiku.com – Jeremiah 22:16
For my wife, that it would be clear to us when God closes one door and opens another for her. That we will have the Faith & Courage to take that crucial step.
.-= Dan Z´s last blog ..The Great Crock Pot Experiment =-.
I can identify with your current editing process as I’m in final editing for a memoir. I pray for you that God will give you the insight into each word–divinely chosen to minister the message you want to convey!
God Bless,
Jim
@Candy, wow, we’ll be praying for her.
A little late but nonetheless-I am 7 months pregnant and my boyfriend decided he wasn’t ready for the responsibility of being a parent. He packed up and left this weekend. I’m broken and beat down but trusting in God to provide the strength and $ to be a single mom.
@Amanda, oh wow. So glad to hear that you’re trusting in God through this. I know you have some rough days ahead of you but please know our community is praying for you.
Just wanted to give you a quick update. My husband flew out to Potter’s Wheel Rehabilitation facility yesterday morning. Huge step of faith and obedience going on, but so grateful God is opeing doors and cares for each of us even when we can’t see the light. Thank you so much for your prayers. In God’s Love, sheila
.-= sheila harris´s last blog ..Addition, +, edition (which do you prefer) =-.
Praying that your edits went well, for the impact of the Faith Hope & Love series, and the situation in India.
For me? My husband recently committed suicide and – it’s tough. Pray that I will heal and raise my sons well. Please pray also that my sons will recover, heal, and grow up to be fine, well-adjusted men. Thank you.