I have some friends who need your prayers.<P>David and his wife.<P>David has been arrested for "breaking into" unlocked cars and taking things - including money and credit cards. He's out of jail on bond. It seems they have videotape of this. <BR>Now, unfortunately, I work with this man. He is in a postion of much influence in our community. <P>It's a tragedy for the community where the incidents took place and to the greater metropolitan area around it. It's a monumental tragedy to this family which is loved by many. It's a tragedy to more people than David will never meet. Because David is a minister. So a lot of people will judge those who call God their Father based on this event.<P>People forget that ministers are human too. They may have greater knowledge about Biblical, theological, and religious matters. They may know better where to find information. They may be able to read Greek and Hebrew and to understand the meanings of passages and the contextual settings of scripture, but they are probably hunted even more aggressively by Satan. <P>David is not just any minister - he is the pulpit minister at the church where I have worshipped for years. He is my friend. He is my coworker.<P>So far this week I have dealt with newspapers, attorneys volunteering help, high school friends who are David's peers, leaders in our congregation, fellow members, avoided television stations, not to mention the other people who have called with questions on the situation. And I actually know nothing other than what I've seen on television. As everyone here knows, you just never know the torment some people are dealing with. <P>But please pray for David. And for his wife. And their children. And for my church family. David's family. Because we just can't believe it.<P>And for those leaders of my church family. And for everyone in our office.<P>

Dear Jesus, <P>I pray that this church will pull together and pray together. You enemy is having lots of fun with this and with all the mistakes the clergy make in every denomination.<P>Lord, we are Your Church on earth. Each of us is part of Your One Body. We long for perfection from our leaders but in an age of little faith, our leaders have little faith and little time for prayer. Jesus, this is serious. Please send us more workers and remind all of us that WE ARE ONE in You. You prayed and prayed for us to stay together the night of Your Last Supper. Let each of us consider himself or herself Your worker and pray and pray to be released from all temptation.<P>Blessed be Your Holy Name, Lord. I pray that this church will destroy the influence of Your boring enemy through intense prayer. This church will then rise from the ashes of the situation to even greater glory. Help Cinderella to remind the press and others that this minister is human like us and one man does not make a church, even if he is a leader. Lord, unite this congregation and the congregation of churches nearby in prayer for the destruction of evil in their area. I ask this in Your Holy and Powerful Name, Jesus Christ, who lived and died and ROSE AGAIN. Amen.

While no one yet knows the final outcome of this tragedy, I want you to know that the elders of my church are standing with this man - as is the entire congregation, well - 95% of us. <P>Who knows what will become of this situation as it moves through the legal justice system.<P>However, my greatest concern is for this man's family. I feel that he has a strong marriage but, still, I fear for them because I can only imagine the hurt, anger, betrayal and disappointment his wife feels and the self-contempt he probably feels.<P>Therefore, I request that they - as well as my church family - stay in your hearts.<P>And I sincerely thank you for the prayers you have said so far.

The tempest calmed quickly and everyone involved is doing ok - so far - but there is another hurdle coming up.<P>Tuesday, Sept. 12, David has a hearing. Perhaps that is the day when he will learn whether or not he will go to jail. Meanwhile, he is facing the agony of losing his job and having to get a new one. Having destroyed his credibility in the city, that may be a tremendously large task.<P>I know he and his wife are taking very drastic measures to hang on financially. I imagine his wife is dealing with almost overwhelming anger and disbelief.<P>I request that you pray, again, for David. And for his family.