A Prayer for Giving of Ourselves …

A Prayer for Giving of Ourselves … a prayer for giving others Christ.

Our greatest fulfillment lies in giving ourselves to others.1 

In fact, Paul said, ‘Tis more blessed to give than to receive.’2   

Hmm . . . I think I feel like praying . . .

Lord, I've been thinking about how Paul was so deeply burdened for the souls of his brothers that he would give up the one thing that meant more than anything to him—your love—if that would mean the Jewish people would come to faith in you.

‘Makes me think, do I love that deeply, Jesus?  No.

Do I worry that much about the souls of my neighbors and friends, Lord?  No.  And yet, I am so moved by Paul’s conviction.  Please, God, stir in me this love for others and their salvation.  Remember the times when my prayer list was comprised mostly of names of those who were far from you?  Guess I got distracted, and moved on to other things. 

I want to go back, Lord.  I want to “see” like you see, Lord.  I want to see those who are hurting and need a Savior.  After all, we’re going to be dead a whole lot longer than we have lived this life!  So, is there anything that matters more than one’s eternal destination? Nope. 

If I contemplate what my life would be like without you, it is a most troublesome thought.  Actually, I can’t fathom what my existence would be without you!  I wouldn’t have the assurance that I know I will one day be in Heaven with you, and that ‘one day’ will be forever. 

Could you prompt me in the morning to pray for opportunities to love people overtly, to love them as you did, when you were here—in the flesh?  Could you help me to turn meaningless conversation into life-giving conversation—words that matter? 

Would you please forgive me for missed opportunities, Lord?  Would you please forgive me for times I unknowingly hurt people who really needed you, and I was the only Bible they were reading, and I failed miserably?

If I am quiet now, what would you say to me about sharing you with others?

~There is no greater gift you could give another than sharing me with them. 

~Tell them the difference I have made in your life—you know, tell them of the presence of the Holy Spirit, and what that feels like … the assurance

~Show them Scripture verses that speak to you, and give you life

~Express to them that they can bring everything that concerns them to Me!    You know, for the mother who worries about her children—she can carry  them to me in prayer

 For the tired, overwrought businessman who wonders how he can ever make (financial) ends meet, he can ‘Come to Me, and I will give him rest.’

 For the daughter with her own growing family, trying to care for her aging parents, feeling pulled and stretched in every direction, she can ‘Come to Me, and I will help her carry her burdens’.

 For the single mother who has raised her sons alone—who are about to leave—I will show her my purpose for her!  Her value is not gone . . ...go ahead, Girl, you tell her of my love for her . . . tell her!

 For the one who has been hurt by The Church—remind them that I am not the Church.  I am not religion.  I am the Creator, the    Savior . . . the Redeemer who loves them without fail.

When I said ‘Be my witnesses’, all I meant for you to do, Child, was tell others what you have experienced with me.  Tell them that your life has meaning now, that the emptiness you used to feel, somehow isn’t there any more. 

Don’t be afraid of what they will think of you; after all, what would they think of you, if they knew what you had in me, but you never told them!   You, Child, have the keys to the kingdom.  Give them to others that they might find joy and contentment in me.

Yes, Lord, I will . . . with your help, I will.

Amen

1 Henri Nouwen, Becoming the Beloved.

2 Acts 20.35