When you pray, do you pray for yourself or others? Maybe you pray to get something you want? How often do you pray for God to get what He wants? You might say “Your will be done,” but do you really mean it?
Would you be able to think of others if
you were up on that cross?
It seems that prayer is more about getting our way instead of praying for what God might have in store for us. “Please God, get me that new job.” “Please God, get me out of debt.”
God doesn’t want us to pray just for ourselves and our needs. He wants us to consider others also.
Did you know Jesus prayed for others? He even prayed for us. That’s right, you and me. In John 17:20, Jesus says My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. He prayed that we be protected from the evil one. How amazing is that? There is no other God that I know of who has ever prayed for His followers, except Jesus.
God came to Earth as a man and died for His children.
Are you the type of child He deserves?
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Prayer is not asking. Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, at His disposition, and listening to His voice in the depth of our hearts. – Mother Teresa
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Jesus’ prayer shows His love for us, even today. He could have easily have prayed for Himself knowing what He was about to face, instead, He thought of us. Even on the cross, His thoughts were on others. Just before He died, He asked God to “forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
Could you do the same? I’m sure I couldn’t. When it comes to a crisis, it seems I put me first every time. Yet, Jesus showed in many ways His love for us. In order to be Christ-like, we should put others first also.
The fact that God loved us so much shows what a truly loving Father He is. Maybe we should be thinking more of His will than our wishes. Isn’t it our turn to be the type of children He deserves?
If you or someone you know is in need of prayer this week, please leave a comment. We’d be more than happy to pray for you. And if this post moved you in some way, please feel free to share it.
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