“When we serve others and do small things of good in our day it should become a sermon, but only if we will allow ourselves to receive the blessing of that deed. Equally, when we see God at work around us, or his majesty in creation, it becomes a prayer.”
This morning I am dwelling on a particular thought regarding prayer, and that is the reality that we are truly blessed when we are able to bless others by our prayers. I also realize that while God is blessing us, He is blessing others through us. God gives us the ability to touch those around us in our prayers.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.”
- John 14:12 ESV
As believers and followers of Jesus Christ, we have been given the power to touch others while praying. We will do great works because Jesus told us as much. In this act of prayer, we are able to touch the lives of others, and impart a blessing in so doing, but with this comes a personal blessing for each of us as we see God moving through our cooperative efforts.
E.M. Bounds wrote wonderfully about this when he said...
"Prayer is not simply to receive things from God, but to make those things Holy that have already been received from Him. It is not merely to receive a blessing, but also to be able to give a blessing. Prayer makes common things holy and worldly things sacred.
Prayer receives things from God with Thanksgiving and hallows them with thankful hearts and devoted service."
You have probably had a similar experience but I give time to the Nashville Rescue Mission. I have placed food on plates, served drinks, chopped salad, prepared food for cooking, taken out the trash, helped in the dining hall, and other tasks, but none does me more good than handing hungry men their trays of food. I receive a blessing every time I do this because I see what God is doing through that place and the volunteers who work there; I see the gratitude in the eyes of those being fed, and many times during a meal, I will here the words "God Bless You." Receiving a blessing is an amazingly powerful thing, and having it come from someone who is so needy, and has so little, makes it exceptionally special.
A couple of days ago I listened to a sermon in which the pastor said "to a pastor, everything is a sermon." I have thought about this a great deal since hearing his thought because it is akin to the instruction we receive from scripture.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 ESV
When we serve others and do small things of good in our day it should become a sermon, but only if we will allow ourselves to receive the blessing of that deed. Equally, when we see God at work around us, or his majesty in creation, it becomes a prayer. In doing this in all things in our lives then we suddenly find ourselves praying without ceasing, and receiving more blessings than we have given. Our prayers are like a swinging door of blessing... swinging in with a blessing from us, and returning with one as well.
Father, let me pray in all things and let my prayers be filled with your power. When I pray for others, let it be a blessing from me as I offer it up, and from You as it flows back to the subject of its offering. God, in each of these blessings... in each instance of prayer answered... I praise your name and am blessed beyond description by your might, and mercy. Lord, I thank you for using me in this way and in making me a partner in your response to the needs of your children. Bless me father, and may my humble prayers bless you as well.