Monday, February 7, 2022

Orange Moon Monday, February 7, 2022 “A Calling, a Privilege, a Responsibility”

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…


"A Calling, a Privilege, a Responsibility"  


   In matters of God's grace and truth in the Lord Jesus Christ, some things would seem to go without saying, were it not that nothing of our Lord's reality actually goes without saying.

   "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so" (Psalm 107:2).

   I thought of this as the day began and I prayed for my family.  The overwhelming nature of such a gift struck me yet again.  Not only do I have the capacity to hope for their well being and best interests to be fulfilled in this day.  Our Heavenly Father beckons me to the throne of grace to seek His working in their hearts and lives.  He grants believers the privilege and responsibility to invoke Divine involvement upon those near to us, and also upon those far from us.  Moreover, He desires to answer our prayers far more than we desire to ask them, always in a manner that glorifies the Lord Jesus, and that best meets the needs of those for whom we pray.  Overwhelming indeed, and so much more whenever we still our hearts to consider the magnitude of such grace.

   "We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you" (Colossians 1:3).

  I was recently privileged to be a conduit through which some dear friends conveyed a very generous gift to another dear friend.  Both the anticipation and the bestowal of their kindness blessed my heart as  much or more than it did the recipient of the gift.  In a sense, this can be likened to the role we play in prayer.  God purposes to give or do something for others.  He also determines to do so through answering our prayers, blessing us with the joy of involvement in His gracious lovingkindness.  "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy" (Philippians 1:3-4).

   Much mystery accompanies this calling.  What a wonder that the eternal, infinite God enlists us as a means through which He fulfills His purposes in the lives of others.  Yes, far more than hope for the best, we have opportunity to pray for God's best to be administered in the hearts and lives of those for whom we intercede.  This goes without saying to all who know the Lord Jesus, and who seek His loving involvement.  But then again, maybe it doesn't.  I certainly need continual reminders, encouragements, and challenges to "pray without ceasing" (I Thessalonians 5:17).  Perhaps you feel the same way, and if so, this is written as a simple reminder of so monumental a calling, a privilege, and a responsibility.

"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."
(Ephesians 6:18)
"I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ."
(Philippians 1:19)

Weekly Memory Verse
    Pray without ceasing.
(I Thessalonians 5:17)

  






 




































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