Tribune Content Agency
What should I pray about?Mar 19, 2020 |
|
| From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: Recently I was saved through the witness of a co-worker. He said the most important thing to do was to pray. What should I pray about? — N.B. A: When souls are saved, a desire to be nourished from God’s Word is of utmost importance. Bring everything in your life to God in prayer and watch how He answers through the reading of Scripture. This is how God’s children have fellowship with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. Be faithful in reading the Bible, praying for God’s guidance and strength each day, seeking the fellowship of other believers as part of Christ’s church, and share your new faith with those who are still wandering in darkness. The church is the Body of Christ on earth, and it is important to join with other followers of Jesus Christ to learn from one another, to encourage one another, and to obey God’s Word. You’ll find yourself growing. Christ will work in you and through you and you will know His hand is upon you as He leads you along life’s pathway. Many struggle because they want Christ to walk with them; but believers are instructed to leave their own pathways and walk with Christ. He comes into a person’s life with transformation, making forgiven sinners new creations in Christ. God will be busy conforming His children to the image of His Son. Salvation is the most important step anyone can take in life and is the only way to truth. This is “the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery … which is Christ in you, the hope of glory … which works in me mightily” (Colossians 1:26-27, 29). ======== (This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.) (c)2020 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC. |
|
“Prayer for a Pandemic”
To that end, I’d like to close by inviting you to share with me a prayer that a dear friend forwarded to my wife over the weekend. It is titled “Prayer for a Pandemic” by Dr. Cameron Wiggins Bellm of Seattle, Washington:
May we who are merely inconvenienced
Remember those whose lives are at stake.
Remember those whose lives are at stake.
May we who have no risk factors
Remember those most vulnerable.
May we who have the luxury of working from home
Remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent.
May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when their schools close
Remember those who have no options.
May we who have had to cancel our trips
Remember those that have no safe place to go.
May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market
Remember those who have no margin at all.
May we who settle in for a quarantine at home
Remember those who have no home.
As fear grips our country,
Let us choose love.
During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other,
Let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbors.
Amen.
Bill Redmond