Off the Hook

 Do you pray for others? Do you pray for the lost, the sick, the homeless, and the hopeless? Most of us at least mention some of that list in our daily prayers, that's just the right thing to do right? We see the hurt and we know the Healer, right? We see the brokenness and we know the One that provides the glue to put what has been broken back together again. When we pray for those we love that are facing challenges, we know the Great Physician that can make us whole again regardless of what the world has placed in our path. Even Jesus prompted us to ask and receive in our prayers with His directive in the Gospel of Matthew, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you" Matthew 7:7. If Jesus told us to pray and we will receive what we pray for that pretty much sums it up right? In other words, if we pray for the needs of others then we basically are “off the hook” in terms of our support of those that we mention in our prayers. How convenient. I'd suggest that once we mention the needs of others, strangers or family members, then instead of being released from any further role or responsibility, we now will be called to action in being the hands and feet of God. 

 

We are called to pray for others, "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2 and in another example Paul challenges us by telling us to even pray for our enemies, "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," Matthew 5:44. That's just two examples of how we should be praying for others, and there are numerous verses and commands from Jesus and other Godly servants telling us to pray for others. Once we have prayed again the question is, are we "off the hook" at that point? If you go back and read the verse at the beginning of this paragraph, you'll notice the challenge is to "carry" each other's burdens. We can carry their burdens to God through our prayers, but I believe that carrying the burdens of others is similar to the offer Jesus made when He said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30. 

 

So, what does it mean to be God's hands and feet? That means we are not just called to pray and then wait and watch for God to miraculously heal the pain and fix what is broken. We instead are called to pray for others and then in that same prayer ask God to show us how to help. How can we move from sincere words in our prayers to actionable steps of intervention and support, i.e. God's hands and feet! There is no lack of opportunities to serve, even if you aren't literally praying for a particular person or circumstance, being available and moving from saying, "someone needs to do something about that" to "God give me the strength, courage, and wisdom to help in whatever way I can be of assistance". Truly, praying for someone is important, but showing this world the God that we pray to through our actions is much more critical to those we mention in our prayers. Jesus knew that this world's needs would forever increase, Jesus also knew that He would be calling on those who follow Him to serve the needs of those in need. Jesus prayed as much in Luke 10:2 "The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So, pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields." You are not off the hook when you pray, more characteristically, you are "on the hook" after you pray! Pray, earnestly pray, pray without ceasing (I Thess. 5:17), but then move to be part of God's answer to your prayer! 

 

"Lord God Almighty, May I be your hands and feet. Send me into the harvest and give me the strength and endurance to help those in need and support those that have not found You yet. Amen"

 

Coach Carter