Not So Simple Prayers
God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. Ephesians 6:15-18 (MSG)
Certainly, all of you reading these devotions have been asked THE seasonal question: What do you want for Christmas? When asked, I immediately freeze and start analyzing the difference between need and want.
What gifts do I want to find under the tree? Well, where can one purchase peace or get a discount on joy? Is it possible to find a blue-light special on health? Is Gorilla glue strong enough to restore a broken relationship? Is there such a thing as a grief extinguisher? Me personally? I don’t need a single thing, but the things I sincerely want are not available at any store on this planet.
Here’s my list:
· Israel and Hamas to stop warring
· All hostages to be freed
· Ukraine and Russia to mend their fences
· No more painful, hungry little bellies
· Find a cure for cancer
· Safe shelters for the homeless
· Put an end to child abuse
· Homeless pets would get ‘furever homes’
· Wisdom for world leaders
I understand there is not much I can do to fix these heavy problems. However, we can ask God to be at work for others. So, my not much becomes an influence in the heavenly realms. But, if together we speak the same requests, we are now communicating with our mighty God using a mighty voice.
If we have warm shelter, food in the frig, employment, some money in the bank, a dependable vehicle, and relatively good health, hope, and know our future is secure in Him, we are the richest people in the world.
Look around! There are many with none of these essentials. We need nothing. We want lots of stuff.
There are problems. Perhaps some are fixable and others are not. But at the very least, we can ask God to be at work for others.
During these last few days before the celebration of the birth of Jesus, pray! Examine our wants, needs and possessions. I think most of us will be amazed with what we can live without. May God continue His work in you…and others.
Lord Jesus, You hear each word before we speak. While we are unworthy, for some reason You have kept us going and growing in You. We thank You for all that You do for us and through us. Now we lift our voices in prayer to be a work for others. AMEN.
Mo Johnston and Liz Jackson