“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,” – 1 Timothy 2:1
Pray With People
Have you ever had someone tell you something difficult they were going through and responded, “I’ll pray for you.”? I used to do that all the time.
Then one day I told someone something I was going through and they said, “Can I pray for you?” I said, “Sure,” thinking that was the end of it. Then, they did something weird, they put their hand on my shoulder and they started praying.
I said it was weird, but it was actually pretty cool. Not only did I appreciate it, but it had meaning between us as friends. I learned something that day. Since that day, I usually ask to pray with the person rather than telling them I’ll pray for them (at some point later on).
You can do this with both Christians and those who do not, yet, believe. I’ve found that most people say it’s fine, though some say, “No.” That’s fine. In addition to the benefit of the prayer itself, you also become known to them as someone who they can come to when they have a problem and someone who knows about God.
Today: Consider praying with people, not just saying you’ll pray for them later.
Note – This is something you can do for any situation, not just praying about people believing in Jesus. Maybe their sick, lost a loved-one, are having a rough time at work, etc. Also, the prayer can be simple and to the point.
Forgive Them Because They Need It...Just Like You Did
“bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” – Colossians 3:13
When someone wrongs you how do you deal with it?
Do you forgive?
I used to watch the show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. (Don’t judge me!) There’s one scene in the show that has stuck with me years later. There was a guy who had killed someone and was looking for forgiveness, but no one would forgive him. Buffy said, “Good! He doesn’t deserve it.” Then Giles (a sort of mentor) said to her,
“To forgive is an act of compassion, Buffy. It’s not done because people deserve it, it’s done because they need it.”
I’m not recommending the show, but in this case, Giles nailed it. Forgiveness is an act of love. It’s not earned or deserved because we can’t earn it and don’t deserve it. It’s given out of love because we need it.
So, we forgive each other because the person needs it. Jesus forgave us when we needed it. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. We didn’t deserve it, but we certainly needed it. In His great love, He has forgiven you.
You have been forgiven of much and you can forgive others. It restores relationships and brings healing and peace. Truthfully, it also heals us. Bitterness is destructive.
God has given you a great gift by forgiving you and has given you the ability to give that gift to others.
Is there someone you need to forgive? Maybe it’s time.
Heavenly Father,
I confess that I have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed. I know I don’t deserve it, but please forgive me. I know You promise that You do. Thank You. Please help me to forgive others as You have forgiven me.