Daily Archives: October 14, 2008

Once again I’m overwhelmed by the need to pray. So many people are hurting! Marriages are falling apart; friends who desperately want to have children continue to suffer miscarriages, or can’t conceive at all. Other friends don’t understand the treasures they have and contemplate throwing it all away through abortion. Neighbors don’t know Christ and are not yet ready to hear. There are health issues, job issues, financial issues, relationship issues and none of this even touches what’s happening around the world. This is all just in my little circle of friends and family. Outside that circle the reasons to pray multiply exponentialy. Millions of people are lost and haven’t a clue where to find salvation; some don’t even know where to find food. People are dying of disease, starvation, lonliness, genocide … Who can help them? Who will defend them?

I am ashamed of myself. Last week I told you about the journey our church is taking of fasting and feasting. I’ve been fasting, but forgetting to attend the feast. Sure, I’m not wasting time on TV reruns or playing mind-numbing games on Facebook; I’m not spending all that time socializing. But I’m not spending the found time with God. I’ve cleaned my house and read some new books. I’ve even done a little papercrafting. I’ve hung new curtains and planned ways to reorganize furniture. I’m caught up on laundry. All of these are fine things to do, but none of it helps me know God, does it? None of it draws me closer to His heart. And here I am staring at an enormous mountain of needs. I am overwhelmed and ashamed at my pathetic waste of time.

Oh, Lord, have mercy on me! Just like Isaiah I cry “Woe is me!” and then just as quickly ask God to use me. I may not be able to do anything. I can’t rescue orphans in Tanzania or feed the starving in Ethiopia; I can’t save marriages or make wombs fruitful, but I can pray. Prayer, even though it seems minimal and certainly inactive, is often the very best thing to do.

Here am I, Lord! Send me, use me, change me. Open my eyes that I may see what I can do and then motivate my hands and feet to obey. Until then, make me steadfast in prayer for those whose feet are already on the move and those to whom You have sent them.