There have been times when I wanted to do something for someone so badly, to help them. In some situations, I don't even know the person. I don't know their name. I don't know where they live. I don't know their whole story. I only have a sliver of information about them, but I want to help them. Other times, I know the person, or people very well. However, I am often in a similar situation: I cannot physically get to them to provide what they need. But, I can ALWAYS do something: Pray. God knows exactly what each person is dealing with. He knows where they are at, and what they need. I always wish I could do more, but sometimes that is physically impossible.
God hears prayers and He answers them. Some, and often times, it is not the answer we wanted. Sometimes the answer is no. Sometimes we may have to wait many years to receive an answer. We might not even know our prayers are answered within our lifetime. That doesn't make prayer easy sometimes, but we should never stop praying, never give up. God hears, God knows. Prayer works.
"Prayer is never the least we can do; It is always the most." -A.W. Tozer
Now, I'm not talking about praying for things we "want." I need a way to help explain this... I've got it. Okay, so anybody that knows me very well knows that I really want a Mustang. A 1967 fastback, with a Hi-Po 289, backed by a 4 speed manual transmission; painted bright red with a black interior; leather seats, GT wheels, the works. I can pray to God day and night for that Mustang, but chances are, I'm never going to get it. God is not going to answer that prayer. That Mustang is just a physical object, something that I want. God isn't going to give me some hunk of metal just because I really want it. That's not the way prayer works and that's the point I'm trying to make.
This post wasn't meant to try to explain prayer, how to pray, or what to pray for. It's more about what I have learned and things I am actually dealing with right now. Do I want a Mustang? Yes. Have I prayed for a Mustang? No. That was merely an example I came up with.
I don't pray for things, I pray for people. I pray for them and the things they are going through. I pray for those who are lost, for those who are hurting, for anyone who has a need. God loved me enough to make me. And He made everyone on this earth. He loves everyone - unconditionally. That is how I am to love everyone, that is what I try to do. When I know someone is lost or has fallen away from God, it shakes me to my core. More so now, than ever. I face trials and experience pain all the time, but I know that God has saved me and is working all things for my good, even though it does not always feel that way. When I think of those people who do not have that; the knowledge of God, or those who have slipped away from Him, it really makes me concerned. Most of the time I don't do stupid things or give up because my hope is in Christ. But people without that hope must feel terrible; like no one cares or loves them. That can only make their situation worse. When I hear of someone like this, I cannot be still. I have to do something. Sometimes the person or people are too far away for me to physically reach them. Other times they are not. But their need might be out of reach for me to meet. This happened towards the end of last semester, it happened last month, and it has happened more times in the past two weeks than I can count. It is painful. But it should be. So I pray. God can do anything and use anyone to reach the person in need. I'm not afraid to pray for a miracle. If God can change me, save me, He can save anyone. It doesn't matter how far they have strayed. God still loves them and He wants them to come to Him.
It's Christmas Eve. A truly special day. The day we remember the greatest gift ever given. God gave the world a savior. Jesus Christ willingly humbled himself to become a man; still fully God, but also fully human. His purpose: to seek and to save that which is lost. He came, lived a life we could never live, then sacrificed Himself according to the will of the Father, dying the death we so fully deserved, and then arose. Alive forevermore. He came and set the bar. He is our example and He did not just die for the sins of you and me. No. He died for everyone. The rebellious daughter, the drug addict, the abusers of power, those who play the system, the arrogant, the homeless, the forgotten, the murderer, the rapist, the criminal, He died for EVERYONE. It doesn't matter what you have done. God loves you and He wants you to come to Him. The gift of salvation is free, but it came at a cost. Jesus paid the cost, once and for all. So all anyone has to do is accept it.
That's the best news anyone could ever hope for!
So don't hold on to it. Don't keep it to yourself. Give it away. Tell everyone of the most wonderful gift, the reason for the season.
Merry Christmas everyone!
One of my favorite songs: Your Turn
Here's a link and the lyrics: https://youtube/yourturn
One hopeless world in need of change.
One Father's heart full of grace.
One perfect son would take the blame for the sins of the world.
One baby king humbly came.
One hopeless world would never be the same.
One sacrifice He would take their place.
The Father told the Son
Now it's Your turn to give Your life away.
Yes it's Your turn to give away grace.
It's Your turn to show the way.
Go and make a way.
Now it's your turn.
Jesus made a promise: He's coming back again.
We know the time is coming but we don't know when.
He ascended into heaven to His Father's right hand.
He left us all with this command:
Now it's your turn to give love away.
Yes it's your turn to give away grace.
And it's your turn to show the way.
Now it's your turn. So give love away.
And it's your turn. Give away grace.
Yes it's your turn. Now show the way.
Jesus is the way.
Now it's your turn.
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