Do YOU Care about people?

 

It is amazing how the work of the Holy Spirit changes people. For some of us it takes a lifetime, for others it is just easier. One of the areas of my life that has changed, especially over the past 8 years is how much I CARE ABOUT PEOPLE. When I read 1 Thessalonians 5:17  (Pray without ceasing) in the past, I would wonder what in the world can I pray for CONTINUOUSLY? Now that verse makes a whole lot more sense because I can't stop thinking about others and the challenges they are facing. I can't stop thinking about our leaders locally and nationally and the difficult tasks they face. I can't stop thinking about the troubles in the world and the pain faced every day in some locations. There is a lot to pray for!

I looked at my schedule this week and then read these verses in 1 Timothy 2:

"I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth." (1 Timothy 2:1-4, NLT)

There is more than enough chaos, sadness, pain, illness, and death in the world that we should heed 1 Thessalonians and pray without ceasing. It is not praying about us and our situations that should dominate our prayer lives, although that is a PART. If we just look around in our church, in our community, in our nation, and in the world, we will see the great need for prayer.

I know of at least three hospital visits I need to make this week and have had more people express the need for prayer and it is just TUESDAY. Seek those in need, help them physically when you can, but one thing you can ALWAYS do is PRAY FOR THEM. I truly believe in the power of prayer and if there is ever a chance to live peaceful and quiet lives, it will only happen through PRAYER WITHOUT CEASING.