God, Who Should I Pray For?




This morning, I had to drive down Middlebury Street in Elkhart, Indiana, where for years we did street ministry. At almost every house of the 10 blocks between Goshen Avenue, and Main Street, memories of people came flooding back.


I was overcome with gratitude. I began praying and worshipping and thanking God for all the things He has done in my life.

Something that has been on my mind recently, that I spend too much time asking Him for things.

Jesus speaking:

Matthew 6:8 KJV Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

There is nothing wrong with asking Him for things. . . nothing wrong in asking Him repeatedly for things:

A parable by Jesus:

Luke 18:1-7 KJV And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; 2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

But we all have so much to be thankful for. He already has done so much for us, can we EVER thank Him enough?

Years ago a group from our church went to the Summons-to-Sacrifice prayer conference in St. Louis, Missouri. There were about a thousand people there. It was an amazing time. There was preaching, and they also had break-out sessions, where various teachings on prayer were given.

One of the sessions I went to, encouraged you to ask God what you should be praying for. This was the last weekend of July 2006 if I have my dates correct.

When I came home, the next day, in my prayer I asked God who I should be praying for, and in my minds eye, I immediately saw the face of my brother Matt.

I hadn't seen Matt and several years. He took off to parts unknown, leaving his debts behind. I had no idea where he was, or what he was doing.

I prayed for him daily for a couple of weeks before I felt release from God. I thought no more about it until near Christmas time, when I saw his daughter, and asked her how Matt was doing.

She told me a story that gave me goosebumps. . . He was working as a park ranger in Death Valley. There was a rain storm there where the area received a years worth of rain in a few hours, and a terrific flash flood rolled through the valley. A woman and her daughter were caught in the raging water, in their car. Matt jumped in, and rescued them both. For his heroics, he was awarded the Medal of Valor by the U.S. Park Service. . . This flood occurred on August 15th. . . the day I stopped praying for my brother.

I used to have a link to a news story recounting the events of that day, but that site is no longer online, but what a wonderful thing. . .

When you pray. . . ask God questions. . . who should I be praying for? What should I be working on in my life? How can I best serve you? and then quiet your mind, and wait for His answers.

Thank You my God for hearing our prayers. . .
I love You my Lord. . .

<3

Dave

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