One morning, I awoke with heaviness on my heart, thinking about someone I knew and the difficult circumstances threatening to tear them down. As I prayed, asking God to comfort and encourage that person, He gently reminded me: I have put you in this person’s life to comfort and encourage them. Do it. You are an answer to your own prayer.
I wonder how often we pray for others, those we know and love or maybe those we’ve never met, asking God to bless them, feed them, protect, comfort, and encourage them, but never take any God-inspired action to do any of those things for them?
Yes, there are many situations we are powerless to change except through prayer. And sometimes it is wiser to stay back and support from a distance with prayers. But how often do we miss God’s specific call to be the answer to our prayers? How often have we possibly ignored an opportunity to be a blessing to someone through just spending time with them, making a meal, comforting and encouraging someone who is grieving or discouraged through our loving presence, sending an encouraging text message, etc.?
So maybe the next time you pray for someone, ask God to show you whether you can play a part in answering that prayer.
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