Prayer

“and pray in the Spirit on all occasions, with all kinds of prayers and request.  With this mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:18 NIV

In recent days I have found that my own personal afflictions have all the more turned my heart and mind to the Lord Jesus and to those whom He has called me to serve.  

Over the past several weeks I have faced sleepless nights due to the constant pain of gout in my right foot.  It would be hard for a “non-gout” sufferer to understand the pain gout brings with it.  Even the weight of a soft cotton sheet can bring shots of intense pain by coming in contact with the foot.  If you have never experienced it, I pray that you don’t.

In the midnight hours of darkness and quiet I have found a renewed desire to pray for those in need – regardless of the need they might have.  I was scrolling through Facebook on my iphone about 2:45 am one morning when it hit me.  Why not do what my daughter Lauren had done just the day before?  Just post a status update that simply says “How can I be praying for you?”  I did so and within minutes the requests began to come – one after another.  Since that early morning I have posted the same question each day.  The prayer requests continue to come night and day.  They have come from elementary school classmates, college friends, church members, family, and even those I don’t really know. 

But one thing I know – that Jesus, along with me, is interested in them all.  What a privilege to intercede on behalf of others in prayer.  Once again I have found a way to embrace technology in a way that I believe can impact other people’s lives for the good and bring Glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Many would choose to use an outlet such as Facebook to vent their latest frustrations, share the latest gossip, or waste time and energy on meaningless debate but shouldn’t those of us who claim Christ seek to use it as an avenue to further the ministry of Jesus Christ?  I think so!  Let me encourage my Facebook friends to ask a simple question via their status “How can I be praying for you?” And when the responses come – just pray.

One other thing about prayer – I found it helped me to not be so focused on my own pain and discomfort but rather to use it as a stepping stone to be available to serve others in the name of Jesus Christ.  

-Pastor Rick