“Thanks be to God who leads us…We Christians have the unmistakeable “scent” of Christ…”
(2 Corinthians 2:14 PHILLIPS)
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
(John 13:35 NIV)
I was talking to someone today who is facing huge upheavals in life. Big decisions lead to more decisions. Emotional angst makes all things harder. Lots of moving parts, lots of upheaval. Just…a lot. In the midst of listening to the story, I realized that there were two very practical things we as a church could do to help. One, suggest new job opportunities so more financial options are available in this person’s life. Two, see if anyone in the church could take in a boarder/room-renter for a while as the initial storm is raging. Job and housing. This sounds pretty mundane, unless, of course, you are in need of one or the other.
Today let us join together and pray for those who are seeking the “practicalities” of life – a job, housing, transportation, medical care, child care, a listening ear, insurance, food, or whatever the needs may be. Our God is able to provide for every one of our needs – ALL our needs – and often he does that through the people of his Church. So, let us also be aware of how we can help others in need of practical things.
Jehovah Jireh,
You are good and your mercy endures forever; your kindness, faithfulness and generosity pour out on those who love you. Blessed are those who come to you, seeking refuge from the storms of life. Today we pray for those who require the physical and practical parts of life – a job, housing, transportation, medical care, child care, a listening ear, insurance, food, or other physical needs. We pray that the people of your Church would have the heart, mindset, and resources to provide assistance to those who are in need, especially those who are within your Body. As your people give generously, may they be generously blessed in return. May your Kingdom come, your Will be done, on earth as it is in heaven, we pray in Jesus’s name, AMEN.
Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
Fear the Lord, you his holy people,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. (Psalm 34:8-10 NIV)
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (Luke 6:38 NIV)