Are You Listening?
Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me. Matthew 25:34-36
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This passage of Scripture always reminds me of what is important to Jesus and how he wants us to join him in his work on earth. It is so easy to be busy doing many things: taking care of our households, a business or ministry, or projects we’re interested in. But then it also becomes easy to miss the thing that’s most important: extending mercy to the “least of these,” caring for those who are hungry, poor, sick, or imprisoned. Our response to these needs doesn’t affect only our future, eternal destiny. It also affects our present prayer life.
Prayer theologians of the past emphasized that the Lord will not hear us if we aren’t listening to him and responding to what he asks of us. We can’t feed all the hungry people, help all the homeless, or visit every sick or incarcerated person. But we can listen to the voice of the One who loves all of them and doesn’t want them to perish without knowing his mercy and compassion through the hands of his followers. Ask what he would have you to do to reach out to them. And remember, he promises that when you come under his yoke, it will be easy, and his burden will be light because it is full of grace.
Prayers:
LORD, I want to join you in what you are doing to rescue those who are perishing, to feed those who are hungry and thirsty with your Bread of Life and Living Water. Forgive me when I don’t listen and instead pursue my own agenda. Help me to hear and obey when you call on me. Empower me to be your hands and your feet in the place where I live.
Quotes:
If we will not listen to the poor when they cry unto us in their need, God will not listen unto us when we cry unto Him in our need.
R. A. Torrey (1856–1928)
The One Year Bible Readings for today are: Exodus 28:1-43; Matthew 25:31–26:13; Psalm 31:9-18 and Proverbs 8:12-13.
