Freelance writer and Speaker
The Bible tells us that God had prepared work for us to do, planned from the beginning of time. It is a salutary thought that there are tasks out there to be done with my name on.
‘We are God’s handiwork created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do.’ Ephesians 2:10
We need to pray for the place where we live. If we have been listening to God we will be where He wants us to be. Those in authority do not have enough wisdom of themselves. We should be praying that they will recognise their need of Him.
‘Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it because if it prospers you too will prosper.’ Jeremiah 29:7
We can use God like a Father Christmas, giving Him a long list of requests. Our first thoughts should be thanks. Our requests should be sprinkled with our thanks.
‘In everything by prayer and petitions with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.’ Philippians 4:6
‘In everything’ means everything.
When I had a long period of illness I spent a great deal of time lying down looking at the sky. It was always changing.
‘How lovely it is to live under the sky that is repainted every day by the greatest artist.’ Anon
I have a number of friends who have brought up their children to love and fear the Lord. In some cases the young people have grown up to become lovely Christians and in other cases they have rejected the standards of their parents.
It is strange why this should be so. I know it is said that God has no grandchildren, but the Bible tells us they will not turn from the way they should go, if they have been brought up that manner.
Another one of those mysteries which I will not understand until I reach heaven.
‘Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it.’ Proverbs 22:6
Being an organised person I make great plans for the future. But I am not in control. God has better plans for me. When my plans go awry I know that He knows best. I do want to follow His plans and not mine.
‘My time are in Your hands.’ Psalm 31:15
It is a privilege to be able to make contact with the creator and sustainer of the whole universe. God hears our prayer and answers them, though not always in the ways we want, because He knows what is best for us.
Many times we have to wait for His reply and others times we will never know the results of our prayers. It is a matter of trust.
‘The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.’ James 5:16
‘The Bible is alive, it speaks to me, it has feet, it runs after me, it has hands, it lays hold of me.’ Martin Luther
Here in Great Britain we are going through turbulent times. We do not know what the future holds. The information we receive from the news changes daily. Some of us are worried and some of us are concerned.
Firstly we need to remember that God is responsible for giving us the leaders we have and secondly we need to pray for them. The responsibility they have is too heavy for them to carry alone; they need the help of God.
‘Pray for kings and all those in authority that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.’ 1 Timothy 2:2
The other day I visited the hospital as part of my chaplaincy duties. I don’t have much change to speak about God, but in one particular bay I was able to laugh and joke with the five patient there. God wasn’t mentioned but when I left all the men were smiling and appreciated my visit.
My parting words were ‘I’ll pray for you.’ Not direct evangelism but the presence of God was brought to these men.
‘Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.’ Romans 12:12