Unselfish Prayer

Happy Sunday!

Our lesson in Children's Church today was, "Widening Our Horizons in Prayer".   We are teaching the students about all aspects of prayer.  Today we focused on moving out of our comfort zone, and praying for others.  One minister used to say most people prayed for "us four, and no more".  It's sad, but true, we tend to pray for ourselves and those we love.  But God intends for us to make an impact on our world through prayer.

Last week,  I was in Texas for my Aunt's funeral.  This week, a co-worker lost her grandmother in Alabama, a dear friend lost her grandson in Minnesota, and one of my closest, long time friends lost her sister in Baltimore.  Romans 12:15 says, "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.  Words escape me.  The Word is my only consolation.  It's my only tool to use in times like these.   The Preacher wrote, "It is better to spend your time at funerals than at festivals. For you are going to die, and it is a good thing to think about it while there is still time."(Ecclesiastes 7:2, Living Bible).  A good thing to think about?  WOW!  

Jesus said, "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted."(Matthew 5:4, KJV).  This is a promise we can rely on.  2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says,  "What a wonderful God we have—he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. And why does he do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us."(Living Bible).  God doesn't waste anything.  That sorrow you endured will come in handy when you are comforting another.

Psalm 30:5 says, "For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."(KJV).   Another translation of this much loved and quoted scripture says, "His wrath, you see, is fleeting, but His grace lasts a lifetime. The deepest pains may linger through the night, but joy greets the soul with the smile of morning."(Voice).

Pray for others.  Love and prayers, Cynthia