The Opportunity to Bless Others

Daily Reading –

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 “3Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”

Luke 12:48 “But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”

I believe the most important lesson I've ever learned regarding prayer is that it is far better to be an answer to prayer than to get an answer to prayer. Why? Because God wants to answer prayers through us, according to His power at work within us.

When you start praying for others you allow yourself to be a channel of blessing. God has blessed us that we would be a blessing to others. Luke 12:48 reminds us that, "To whom much is given, much is required."

The Bible is filled with examples of God's using willing servants to convey His blessings to others. Remember Moses? Out there in the desert, he was praying for the children of Israel as the Israelites were praying in Egypt. And God came to Moses in that burning bush and said, "I have heard their cry." Then God told Moses that he was going to be used by Him to answer the Israelites' prayers.

While it is wonderful to pray, "Lord, help that missionary," at some point God's response may be, "Now I want you to go and share the Good News!" If you're praying, "Lord, save that lost person," listen carefully because God may put your feet to your prayers and say, "You go and tell your friend about Me." Are you willing to be an answer to prayer?

As you begin your day, ask God to show you a specific way in which you can bless someone today. Keep the eyes of your heart open for opportunities God will place on your heart.

“Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the one who hears it and not in the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference.” - Max Lucado