On Earth as it is in Heaven
"We pray because life is precarious. We pray because life is marvelous. We pray because we find ourselves at a loss for many things, but not for the simplest words like 'please', 'thank you', 'wow', and 'help'." (Pete Greig, How To Pray, pg. 3).
The task before us can seem so daunting. On a daily basis we come across people who are struggling with illness, disease, and poverty. We continue to hear story after story of families separated by economic necessity. We see people wrestling with hopelessness. How long before we know the language well enough to form meaningful relationships? Will we have the words to say once we are able? How will the vast needs we keep encountering ever be met? Can we even make a difference? We can't, but God can. And He wants to.
"Prayer isn't about twisting God's arm to get Him to do what you think He should. It's about aligning your heart and mind with God's. Prayer is about spending enough time with God that you see His vision for His city (because it is His city) and His people (and they are all His people, not just the Christians). And as you spend time with God, walking the streets of His city, He whispers your role in His plan for the city. Not all at once, because that would be overwhelming, but little by little" (Paul Watson and David Watson, Contagious Disciple Making, pg. 84).
So we study Thai at coffee shops and try to talk to our neighbors. We play with other families at the park and buy food from the local market. We ask people to help us as we fumble through so many things that are unfamiliar to us, yet second nature to them. While we do all of this, we look up to our Father in heaven and say "please", "thank you", "wow", and "help". And He meets us where we are. He teaches us how to pray and shows us what He is doing. He tells us the next thing He wants us to do and we do that because we can accomplish nothing apart from Him. God is at work in the hearts of his people. He wants redemption and restoration for Thailand. When we pray we get to be a part of His plan to make broken things whole again.
About the Author: Jamie is serving in Thailand with her husband and two children. She is passionate about working to create pathways that both prevent women from entering the sex trade and provide a way out so that they can discover the hope and healing that is found in Jesus. She earned her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Denver Seminary in 2016 and has been working as a professional counselor since then.
Staying Connected or Learning More
Help share this and other blogs with your friends and ministry leaders! It would also be a huge help if you could please follow us on social media via the links below! Thank you!
If you would like to receive leadership updates, link here to stay current on All Nations International’s news and prayer efforts! To learn more about All Nations today, visit: www.allnations.international!
Are you wondering if you are wired to go? This area on our web site will help you!
We have plenty other resources (devotion, book club, events) and a monthly global prayer for the neglected! You are welcome to join us.
Give today to see the neglected globally reached — the least, the last, and the lost!
www.allnations.international
Reaching the neglected globally — the least, the last, and the lost since 1993.
