They Were Praying for My Neighborhood

I met Bonnie, Fred, and Dax while I worked in the yard. I had been raking for about 10 minutes, when some people strolling by called out a greeting. I stopped working and said, “Hello, how are you?” They meandered over and introduced themselves. I discovered they are from across town, but were in my neighborhood specifically to pray for the people here. They asked if they could pray with me. “Sure. I would appreciate that,” I responded.

The power, love, and faith of their prayer impressed me. They were praying for me and a neighborhood of people they did not know, and probably would never meet. Yet, they loved us enough to pray in our behalf. They have faith that Jesus Christ will reach out to each of us and manifest His love and power if we are ready to receive Him.

Interestingly, I have been praying for our church congregation lately. The attendance in our congregation has declined. Some have moved. Some took offense and left. Many on the records have not stepped inside the church in years or decades. Many feel despair and hopelessness. They are lost in their faith. Did Bonnie, Fred, and Dax sense this? Did they feel the needs of this area? How did they choose this location of all the places in a city of half a million?

Now the thought marches in my brain, “What would happen if each of us would walk through our own neighborhood and pray as Bonnie, Fred and Dax did? Would there be greater hope? A greater desire to find Jesus Christ? More courage to come to church or to live God’s commandments? What would be different, if each person prayed in faith and love for the individuals in their area?”

What if, instead of complaining about the wickedness around us, the horrible candidates, or the poor state of the economy, we each prayed for people to recognize who they are as children of a loving god? What if we prayed for godly people to lead and govern? Or we prayed to love as God loves? What if each person, believing that God hears and answers, prayed for their neighbors, community, nation, or government? Some countries have had national prayer days for our country. Do we return the honor with prayers for them? What if we prayed for those people in other nations who have experienced the ravages of war, abuse, starvation, grief, and pain beyond comprehension?

Bonnie, Fred, and Dax, thank you for your faithful and loving example of serving through prayer. You have shown me the way Jesus Christ would serve. I am committed to do likewise.