By: David McFadden

As believers, we have inherited Jesus’ calling to “...accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Through His “mighty power at work within us,” we carry out His mandate to love oppressed and dejected people just as He had, until the end of the age. Jesus said that He came to “...preach the gospel to the poor; ...heal the brokenhearted, ...proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind; ...set at liberty those who are oppressed; ...and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Paraphrased from Luke 4:18-19 NKJV)

This can seem like a pretty tall order because at times the people we know and meet can be unlovable. Nevertheless, God will give you the strength, courage, and desire to love others, but you must ask Him for His power to do so. If you are sincere, God will answer your prayer and give you “spiritual eyes” to see a person’s eternal value when He places someone in your life. When this happens, your life in Christ will shift into high gear.

I challenge you to see your life in Christ as a beautiful and precious tapestry. Envision Jesus interwoven into the fabric from corner to corner.

As you move through each day, your daily encounters and responsibilities require His love and His compassion. When He is included this way, God is glorified and you experience the abundant Life that Jesus came to give you. The Apostle Paul says it this way, “May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” (Ephesians 3:19)

Let’s look at your tapestry closer. Your family needs Jesus. Your workplace needs Jesus. Your friends and neighbors need Jesus. These areas and others represent the wonderful complex tapestry that God has called you to, “at such a time as this.” Your giftings, your distinct personality, your unique life experiences, and His Spirit in you have prepared you to reach the people in your life. His peace, hope, and joy await those whom you will courageously encounter with His love and compassion.

The question to ask is: “How can I be all these things to so many people?”

The short answer is “Spirit-led effective prayer.”

Why? Because your prayers will go before you in power so that the Life-giving message you carry will be received. Moreover, through prayer, God can orchestrate circumstances that shape, protect, and guide a person’s life experiences. For instance, praying for your children as they leave for school can change the direction of their day. Through your prayer, your son may be given a “word of knowledge” while in his biology class that raises his stature among his peers and teacher. Your daughter may be spared disparaging remarks, cruel treatment, or delivered from physical harm through your prayers made earlier that morning. Your prayers positively alter the course of those you pray for.

Prayer is to be intricately woven through every square inch of your life’s tapestry.

Your workplace can be transformed as you pray for your co-workers, your supervisors, and the owners. The person who works beside you may have severe marriage problems—Jesus is the answer and you carry His message—prayer goes before you to prepare his or her heart to receive your healing words. The company may have financial problems, threatening the livelihoods of hundreds of workers—Jesus is the answer and you carry His message—prayer goes before you to open doors for peace and prosperity to return to your workplace. Through prayer, God can give you (or the owners) innovative ideas that will prosper the company. Moreover, your willingness to sincerely pray will foster a winning attitude that encourages others to unselfishly give their best efforts.

Your neighbors and friends need Jesus, and in the power of His Spirit, you carry His life-transforming message. Praying diligently for the people in your life creates divine opportunities to be salt and Light to the people God has placed in your path. Your life lived for Jesus is the salt that makes people thirsty for His goodness. His or her thirstiness gives you the opportunity to extend His living water and then share the source of His Light.

It all begins with prayer; prayer changes your heart, enlarging your love and compassion for others. Your selfless prayers prepare the way for His Light to shine throughout your life, a tapestry that is valuable beyond measure.

Excerpted and adapted from David McFadden’s, “Prayer by the Book” - Available on Amazon.com by clicking here: Prayer by the Book

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