Being watchful in prayer

When we pray we should consider what the apostle is saying in these verses….

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. (Col 4:2 ESV)

Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. (Eph 6:18 CSB)

A soul-searching question is this… are we looking around us and seeing people that need our prayers?

They’re everywhere really. Truth be told, I believe that many times we just look past people… in stores, in restaurants, in churches, in hospitals, anywhere we are. I know that I’m guilty of it.

Our prayers should include watching for people that need God’s help, as well as always thanking God for His blessings and for taking care of us.

In our journey to know God better and to be more like Jesus we have to strive to act like Jesus acted. Jesus was always on the lookout for people that needed help. He never looked past them or just walked on by them.

Sometimes when I think about people who are sick and can't eat or taste food... specifically certain cancer patients, I like to reflect on this passage about Jesus feeding people…

And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. He said, Bring them hither to me. And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to [his] disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. (Matthew 14:14, KJV)

I think some people, believers at least, that aren't able to eat are looking forward to the day when Jesus will welcome them with open arms.... and give them something to eat.

As one who experienced a feeding tube for almost 5 months, because I couldn't eat, I find the thought of Jesus giving them something to eat extremely comforting.

Thanks be to Jesus who knows what sickness and sorrow are like... by His wounds we are and were and will be healed.

Dear Father in heaven, please help us to always be thankful to you for things that we take for granted, not stopping to consider that many people aren’t able to do. Please help us to be on alert and watchful for people who need your blessings, your healing, and your comfort.  And not just them, but those folks that take care of them also…. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of suffering who knew what sickness was. He was like someone people turned away from; He was despised, and we didn't value Him. Yet He Himself bore our sicknesses, and He carried our pains; but we in turn regarded Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But He was pierced because of our transgressions, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on Him, and we are healed by His wounds. (Isa 53:3-5 CSB)

Blessings today,

Paul.

 

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Used by Permission HCSB ©1999,2000,2002,2003,2009 Holman Bible Publishers. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.