January 24, 2005

[Rev. Doc]

Who Will Pray If Not You?

"bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."
Luke 6:28

Sometimes we wonder why God has placed us where we are. We might even wonder why we have to face things we would rather not. In many instances if we were not there nor facing certain situations there would be no one there to pray about them.

During the period of communism in Transylvania, Romania there was a Christian family who had a poultry farm that was still at least partially their own property. However, the state had given them a production quota that was beyond their capacity to meet. When they failed to reach it, they had to buy enough eggs on the open market to make up the difference. Year after year this had happened, and the economic suffering was great.
They were asked, "Why do you stay then? So that you can keep your farm?"

The farmer and his wife both looked shocked.

"Of course not," he said. "In fact, we certainly will lose the farm. We stay because-" he let his eyes travel across the valley-"because if we go, who will be left to pray?"

Prayer: Ask God to help you to pray for the needs around you, even when you are out of your comfort zone.

"I do not pray to get out of prison but to do the will of God."
~In Ivan (while in a Soviet Prison Camp)