Monday's Blessing
1 Peter 4:7
"Watch unto prayer."
There are so many minutes that fill our lives with innuendos. These are meaningless splits of time that encompass our everyday lives. It is that drive to work that harnesses every red light upon the way. The extended wait in the checkout line that frazzles our nerves. Waiting endlessly at the doctor's office hoping to be the next one called. Being on the end of the phone on hold for more than one minute.
How many minutes do we waste each day trying to push things along a little faster only to find we can't? What if we took those precious minutes and turned them into something productive? How often do we complain there aren't enough hours in the day for prayer stating, "I'm just so busy, or I fall asleep before my last prayer is said?" What if we took those unproductive minutes and looked around us and prayed for others?
These prayers can be for a loved one, but they can also be for that stranger in the car beside you. Maybe it could be that woman in line with three whining boys in her cart. What if your first prayer in the morning is asking God to make you more observant of the people and circumstance around you so that you could intercede properly? That is probably what the apostle Peter meant when he wrote, "watch unto prayer." Prayer for others is careful, wide-awake, disciplined prayer. It can be life changing. If you ask God to give you his eyes, you will begin to see prayer needs all around you. Those once unproductive moments of anger and frustration will become times of blessings from above as you learn to pray for others in need.
I don't believe it is coincidence that we become privy to other people's pain. I believe it is God's gentle way of acknowledging there are others around us that need our help. Prayer is a very powerful tool, and God wants us to use it regularly. The next time you're standing in a long line or on the end of the phone on hold look for reasons to pray for others- then do!
Lord,
Make me every watchful for others in need.
Give me your eyes so that I am able to pray
according to your will. Amen
1 Peter 4:7
"Watch unto prayer."
There are so many minutes that fill our lives with innuendos. These are meaningless splits of time that encompass our everyday lives. It is that drive to work that harnesses every red light upon the way. The extended wait in the checkout line that frazzles our nerves. Waiting endlessly at the doctor's office hoping to be the next one called. Being on the end of the phone on hold for more than one minute.
How many minutes do we waste each day trying to push things along a little faster only to find we can't? What if we took those precious minutes and turned them into something productive? How often do we complain there aren't enough hours in the day for prayer stating, "I'm just so busy, or I fall asleep before my last prayer is said?" What if we took those unproductive minutes and looked around us and prayed for others?
These prayers can be for a loved one, but they can also be for that stranger in the car beside you. Maybe it could be that woman in line with three whining boys in her cart. What if your first prayer in the morning is asking God to make you more observant of the people and circumstance around you so that you could intercede properly? That is probably what the apostle Peter meant when he wrote, "watch unto prayer." Prayer for others is careful, wide-awake, disciplined prayer. It can be life changing. If you ask God to give you his eyes, you will begin to see prayer needs all around you. Those once unproductive moments of anger and frustration will become times of blessings from above as you learn to pray for others in need.
I don't believe it is coincidence that we become privy to other people's pain. I believe it is God's gentle way of acknowledging there are others around us that need our help. Prayer is a very powerful tool, and God wants us to use it regularly. The next time you're standing in a long line or on the end of the phone on hold look for reasons to pray for others- then do!
Lord,
Make me every watchful for others in need.
Give me your eyes so that I am able to pray
according to your will. Amen
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