DAY 29: THE OPPORTUNITY TO BLESS OTHERS

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.

If God has blessed you with a house, you can share your hospitality with others who need it. If God has blessed you with a full table, you can share food with those who need it. If God has given you an overflowing bank account, share what God has given to help reach those who need Jesus. 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?

So many people today are looking for churches to bless them. Instead of looking for some place to bless us, why don’t we look for someplace to be a blessing, to meet people’s needs? There will always be people who take more out of life than they put into it. But the Christian, the servant of Jesus Christ, should continually endeavor to put more back in to life and to God’s kingdom than they’ve taken out.

One of the greatest joys in my life is when somebody says to me, “Jack, you were an answer to my prayer. You met a need in my life. You helped me.” When that happens to any of us, the glory belongs to God.