The Ebola Virus Calls for Our Prayers

Last Sunday I prayed in worship that the Ebola virus would be contained and not spread.  I realize that it is not just the churches in Liberia and the other countries nearby that need to do the praying, but that this must be an international effort.  Just as various nations are going to help with dealing with this outbreak, there must be the prayers from folks throughout the world to deal with this devastating disease.

Now, it is reported that for the first time a patient in the United States has been identified with this disease.

We need to pray for the those afflicted.
We need to pray for the medical staff helping those who are afflicted.
We need to pray for other resources that are needed and are being provided.
We need to pray that this virus would not spread widely to other places.

Here is where you can come with prayer.  You may be one among many people praying.  Yet, I believe each person's prayer is respected by God.  I invite you to pray for the many different ways that help is needed.  It is a risk for the healthcare workers involved.  They are willing to help tackle this virus.  Hopefully, in short time the illness and death caused by this virus will disappear.

Praying to Determine What Is Best

I begin a sermon series on the apostle Paul's letter to the Philippians this coming Sunday.  As I was reading through the first chapter, I came across these words:

"And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless,...."
Philippians 1:9-10.

Paul would pray for those in Philippi in order that they would make the best decisions possible in living the Christian life and therefore stand well when Christ returns.  I noticed how Paul connects love with knowledge and insight.  Even in loving others, we might need some help.  For instance, if I am to love someone with whom I am on bad terms, I know it won't be easy. I might be unwilling do it.  However, if I am informed through what the Gospel means and Jesus words, I might reflect on "loving your enemy" and come to the conclusion that my love is to extend to this person.  If I then go ahead and show love in a tangible way, I might win this person over in my relationship (even for Christ).

Have you ever found yourself in a situation of not really knowing what to do?  This is why we might need to pray even for ourselves in loving others.  We would want to know how to respond properly so that we will be well-pleasing to Christ.

Praying for the Right Persons

Oftentimes, we find there are positions that need filling in the church or we are seeking volunteers for a special project.  My question is:  Is prayer a component in your decision making?

We can take our cue from Jesus himself...

"Now during those days he went out to the mountain to pray; and he spent the night in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles:..."  Luke 6:12-13

You would notice here that it wasn't a quick one minute prayer on the run; rather, Jesus spent the entire night in prayer.  He realized the importance of selecting those who would help to launch his ministry to the world.

What we would also learn is that the disciples he chose may not have met our standards, whether it was an impetuous Peter or a sly tax collector by the name of Matthew.  We might have really questioned Jesus' choices.  On the other hand, because he was in prayer, he was led to select these specific individuals.  There was something special about each of those twelve in what they would contribute.

Our prayers for working with certain individuals in the church ought also to be as discerning.  From their appearance, we might not feel they are qualified.  However, we may be led by the Spirit to these individuals because of how God can use them.

Are you willing to pray for the important people you need to work with in your ministry?