By God’s grace we can be conduits of God’s infinite love, with our time, our money, and our love. We can be windows for others to God.
Take time just now to consider how God can use all your resources to bring God's love to the world.
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.
1 Timothy 2:1-3
Most of the surviving letters from Paul are his to churches. But a few of these letters are to people directly, such as 1 Timothy. He writes with great intimacy to Timothy, his friend and emissary, and he gives candid advice to Timothy on how to lead in his absence. These letters, likely written at the end of his life, are more personal and raw than some of his other letters. Repeatedly he returns to a theme of praying on behalf of all people.
Paul’s premiere piece of advice is to “make requests, prayers, petitions and thanksgivings on behalf of ALL people.” This is a gracious vision of the Christian life, one we ignore too often – praying for all people, especially kings, emperors, presidents, and leaders. Christians might be looked on with more consideration if we prayed on behalf of others more often, instead of damning those we disagree with to hellfire.
Whom do you pray for, and why? Whom do you leave out when you talk to God, and why? Today I challenge you to pray on behalf of one person that you have never thought to pray for before.
Michael Usey
Today I pray for [name], God, whom I have never thought to pray for before. May [he/she] experience your love today as never before, and make me a conduit of your infinite love. Amen.
Be generous with your time,
Your money,
And your love
To all those around you.
But get ready to be surprised
By how your generosity is
Made bigger by the exceeding
Generosity of God.