(CLICK THE TITLE) Good morning everyone. Every day we get another chance to praise God and to give Him thanks. We also get to spread the good news. The question I’m asking today of everyone is, do those who we give the good news to see Jesus in us or do they just hear words they don’t care about from someone who is not living what they are saying anyway? Just asking; only God knows for sure.
Today’s Prayer
Father, There are times as a minister of Your word when I feel “down and out.” I also see so many precious people who are in that state today. I may not completely understand their reason and their situation, but I know who has the answer. You Lord are the one who can help us overcome whatever burden, trial or temptation we face. You are the one who provides a way out. You are the one who can lift us out of the pit of sin, shame or depression. I pray that you will be merciful to us as you have always been; that you will give us grace for today and keep our focus on Jesus. We don’t want or need to feel down and out, because we know who holds the future and works all things to the good of those He loves. In His name we thank you and love you, Amen.
Let’s eat.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ~ Philippians 4:6
I was outside cutting my grass the other day when one of my neighbors came over to talk to me and he seemed physically struggling with his breathing. His countenance was different than normal. I asked him if he was ok and he responded “my Allergies are really acting up”. “Sometimes it gets so bad I can hardly breathe.” I asked if I could pray with him and he immediately came back with “oh, I don’t want to take up God’s time with something as menial as me. I’d rather not waste it on me and besides, I haven’t been going to church for a long time and I don’t pray much. You should pray for someone much less fortunate than me. He also said, “My mother always taught us to pray at the dinner table for those less fortunate than us “. The man was touched that I would offer to pray for him. I saw him a couple hours later and told him my prayer group was praying for him. He couldn’t believe that I would do such a thing for him.
It is interesting what happens when you offer to pray for someone. Offering to pray for someone can be the most genuine and loving thing you can do for another person. It can be the one means of getting a conversation on a spiritual plane that cuts across religious stigmas and gets to the root of the problem—the person’s real need. It immediately reveals your own values and sets the stage for future encounters. All it takes is a little holy boldness to step through the door when the opportunity seems to present itself. Is there anything too small to pray about? Do we, in fact bother God when we make any request that is not dealing with only the poor in Africa? Paul clearly tells us in the scripture above that prayer is talking with God. It is having such a relationship with Him that we can bring anything to His attention. We’ve all heard the housewife’s prayer for a parking spot or other such seemingly trivial prayer requests, but are they trivial to God? If God is our closest and most intimate friend, then it becomes very natural to talk to Him as you would a friend who might be sitting next to you in the car. Yes, He desires to have such close communion with you and me that we can pray about anything—even a parking spot.
As you enter the workplace or any other place today, ask a co-worker or anyone as a matter of fact that might be going through troubled times if you can pray for (or with) them about something. You may be surprised at what doors will open as a result.
Quote of the Day
Faith in a prayer-hearing God will make a prayer-loving Christian.
Andrew Murray
WITH HOPE AND FAITH;
REV. ELDER G E STERRETT
FOUNDER
GCKRS HELPING HAND FOUNDATION – THE RELATIONSHIP FACTORY