"Blessed is he that considers the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble."
Psalm 41:1
There are people who really needed help, and we have the power to make a difference. Perhaps we can't solve the world's problems, but we could help someone with our prayers and the sharing of kind words and our resources as God puts these people on our hearts. Open our eyes to the less fortunate and give as much as we can--time, assistance, companionship, kind words and deeds, encouragement, and of course, prayers.
Father, am I doing all I can? In my times of need, I cry out for someone to help me. Make me sensitive to others as they cry out. All glory is Yours, Almighty God, as we learn to serve You and share Your love with others. Amen.
"As the deer panteth after the water, so panteth my soul after thee, O God."
Psalm 42:1
The male deer is a single-minded creature. Once its sights are set on its goal, nothing can dissuade it. Such single-mindedness is what the Lord desires of His children. The Lord loves to see real commitment that changes lives. To live for the Lord means to give oneself to Him, body, mind, and spirit. As the deer pursues the cooling brook with all that it has, so must we pursue our Lord.
You are my goal, Lord. Keep my eyes focused on You. Make sure that I don't turn away. I can have no greater prize in sight, Father, than to spend eternity with You. Amen.
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the Lord.
Isaiah 55:8
Prayer honors God as sovereign and moves Him to action. Compassion for the world redeemed by Christ will move us, the church, to pray. Pray for the persecuted Christians around the world, for all those suffering unjustly, for the sick and the poor, for those we would not normally think of praying for. Let God's thoughts become our thoughts so we are led to pray for those we may overlook, judge, or just resist praying for. Let God open our eyes to the world around us and show us that His heart encompasses all, and Christ died for all. Are we praying for all of the world? Let the Lord expand your vision so it becomes more like His vision.
Lord, I kneel in prayer to honor You, as Your servant, recognizing You are sovereign - please use me to touch the lost and hurting today. Place on my heart those You would have me pray for and reach out to in Jesus' name, Amen.
After I made my post here, I went to another site and was immediately struck by this story: Army Staff Sgt. Travis Mills, on his third tour in Afghanistan, stepped on an IED — improvised explosive device — while on patrol last week, and lost all four limbs. Today, after undergoing another surgery in Germany, support and prayers are pouring in from around the world for the 25-year-old native of Vassar, Michigan.
Please add Travis Mills to your prayers. He is facing a challenge unlike what few others have known--surviving after losing both arms and legs. May our Lord give wisdom to the doctors to find ways to use prosthetics to replace the limbs lost. May God touch Travis so as to lift his courage, spirit, hope, strength, and healing. May Travis be filled with the comfort of our Lord and the support of others worldwide. Let the love of Jesus shine a light of hope upon the path ahead for this young man and we will give God all the glory and praise, Amen
