This applies to preachers. Some preachers are too militant and they sound hostile. Sometimes it is a temptation in the open air when you have got to raise your voice. At the same time the preacher may become aggressive and be hurling out words as though his hearers were his enemies. ‘As I ought to speak’, he says, showing the love of God and the tenderness and kindness of God, as well as the warning of God to repent. It is as huge challenge.
Never forget to pray for the preacher. How much he needs prayer. He cannot persuade anyone to come to the Saviour. It is beyond him, except by an operation of the Spirit of God. Pray for him that he may preach in the right spirit, in the right tone, reflecting that kindness and love of God; that he may speak plainly and clearly and logically and simply; that he may not be tempted to appear to be an intellectual orator or a flowery orator; that he may speak to convince and persuade. Pray for him that as he studies the Scripture he will see the arguments that are implicit there and present them clearly and plainly. What matters is the end, not the style. What matters is the work in souls. Pray for him that he will be delivered from foolishness and foolish human pride and things of that kind. And that all his heart and his concern and his feelings would be for the souls of men and women and not for his foolish self. Pray for all these things.
And pray for all Christian friends, that wherever they are, at home and in due course in places of employment, God will give opportunities that otherwise would never come.