Senator Rusty Crowe represents Carter, Unicoi, and Washington Counties. He is a Methodist and a veteran. He is a member of the American Legion and the Lions Club. In 1994 he was named State Senator of the Year by the Tennessee Christian Coalition.
Jesus told a parable in Matthew 25.14-30 that we would like you to consider as you pray for Senate District 3.
14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
Matthew 25.14-30
15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
I was recently discussing a denominational issue with a denominational leader in a well known American denomination. This leader felt that his denomination was making grave mistakes and that they were going down the path to irrelevancy. Most importantly, he worried his denomination was displeasing the Lord.
He was right – the actions of this fellowship were displeasing to the Lord. What concerned me was that this man wasn’t willing to take strong action. He had a lot of time invested in this large, large group of Christians. Retirement was approaching. He had been recognized recently by some groups. Folks, this is the kind of fellow who gets a building named after him on a seminary right before he dies as long as he doesn’t make the folks my age.
I prayed about his issue overnight, emailed him this parable and and a note that said “Dear Pastor, use all your talents before you die.”
When I think about Senators who have been in office a good many years, I have a lot of respect for some of them. A lot of them have fought a lot of hard battles. Some of them are scoundrels. Senator Crowe is no scoundrel. He seems to be a good man. In fact, we wish SB1236 had gone to the Senate Health and Welfare Committee that he chairs instead of going to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Most likely, the bill would have been voted on in the senate instead of being stalled. It didn’t, and here we are.
As you pray for Senate District 3 today, please pray for this man and for other senators who have been in the Senate many years. Pray that God would stir their hearts so that they wouldn’t bury their talents in the ground. Pray that the Lord would stir them to use all the influence they have accumulated for good. All their influence. All their talents.
But only pray that after you’ve sought the Lord to help you use all of your talents. After all, we don’t want to pray hypocritical prayers.
Prayer Points
- Pray for Senator Crowe. Ask that the Lord would bless him spiritually by increasing his longing for God’s word and presence, and that he would do the same for you.
- Pray for the physical needs of all of District 3’s Constituents, and that the Lord would provide for believers so that they can faithfully minister to spiritual and physical needs.
- Pray for women considering abortions. Pray that the Lord would draw them to men and women in His Kingdom who can minister to them.
- Pray that their babies would be born happy and healthy, experience a full life, and know the Lord Jesus.Pray that Senator Blount would vote for SB1236 – the Personhood Bill. Pray that he would support the God Given Marriage Initiative.
