Pray for Others

Last year, I woke up one morning and asked God to make me of use to someone. As a young Christian, still only just starting to chew on the "meat" of the Word, I realized I had not done enough to pray for others. I thought about what it meant to be a Christian and a follower of Christ and I realized I needed to show more charity or love.

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

-1 Corinthians 13:13

So I asked God to make me of use. It was a quick prayer and a silent one but I meant it in my heart. I knew I needed to step up and make a difference somewhere, somehow. Well, that very morning at work I was interrupted at my desk by a passerby who was lost and needed directions. She did not speak good English but she was able to gather the courage and ask me for help at the desk.

The area she was looking for was out of sight to the average resident since her destination was located at an industrial park. However, being a delivery driver at my other job, I knew the exact building she was looking to find. I gave her directions and she kindly thanked me and left to use the rest room. Upon returning to the desk the woman kindly and timidly asked my name. I told her, "Shane," emphasizing the "ane" part to help her pronounce it.

She smiled and gently responded, "Shane. I will pray for you tonight."

It didn't hit me right away what had happened and I didn't have enough time or courage to respond in a similar manner but I smiled and watched her leave. God had answered me that same morning. He sent me that woman to my job because she needed help. Right there and then I was of use to someone. I made a difference. Though it was small, it was a difference, nonetheless.

God Will Give You Direction

Much like I gave the lost woman directions, God will give us directions when we are lost. He will put us in certain places that he sees necessary for our specific talents, attributes, and personalities. And I'm not just talking about putting me at a bowling alley because I'm an established bowler...I'm talking about sending us to places to spread the Word of God and let it be seen by others. The whole point to being a good Christian and a follower of Christ is to actually follow Christ.

What did Christ do? He prayed for others. He ministered unto the people, believers and non-believers. He even prayed for the people that cursed him and spat on him while he was up on the cross. Christ is Love. We must love like Christ.

Yesterday, I found another good example of love and God's direction. He led me to a woman that needed prayer. She came to me and asked my name. Then she told me her name and the names of her children. While I will disclose the nature of why these events occurred, I must say that it had a profound effect on me. She needed help and whether she knew it or not, she was asking me for it. God led me to her to pray for her. I cannot ignore God's Will. He has a plan for each of us and His plan is greater than anything we have prepared for ourselves.

Like the lost woman, she found direction and responded in prayer. And like my experience yesterday, I found direction and I know it is a calling to respond in prayer. You may ask, "How do I know that I'm supposed to pray for someone? What if they don't ask?"

Well, the best way to answer that question is to say, "If you need to ask, then pray." God has programmed us to be curious and to show love and compassion which is why it is so necessary that we recognize moments like these and respond in prayer.

Hypothetically speaking, maybe you don't know how to respond in prayer or know if you're prayer is the right one? Well, pray for that knowledge first. Just start off by praying for an answer and a more direction. And then have faith. God will always answer you. And remember, God only answers "yes" and "Amen." Everything else is not of God. It may take some time for those yes's and Amen's to lead to exactly where you're looking for but if you stay on the righteous path, you will find the way.

So, remember: Pray for others. Start off by praying for yourself. Repent. Then ask God to show you the next step, the next person to pray for. It's that simple. Just have faith.

God bless and have a wonderful day!