By Linda Booth of Lee’s Summit, Missouri USA
When I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus. I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective when you perceive all the good that we may do for Christ. I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother. For this reason, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty, yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love—and I, Paul, do this as an old man, and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus.
At a family camp in western Pennsylvania a man stood during the morning fellowship service to ask for prayers for a woman and her granddaughter who were going to be baptized later in the week. The woman was his next-door neighbor, and they were now good friends. As a result, the woman and her granddaughter asked to be baptized.
Another morning he asked for prayers for the woman’s brother, explaining that he had been in a motorcycle accident. Paralyzed from the waist down, he couldn’t care for himself and was forced to live with his sister.
The man said each day he went next door to help the woman care for her brother. Over time as he shared his love and witness of Jesus Christ, they became close friends. Because the paralyzed man wanted to support his sister at her baptism, he asked for prayers on his behalf.
At the baptismal service, we gathered by the lake as storm clouds moved toward us. Several people sang, “And Jesus said, ‘Come to the water, stand by my side. I know you are thirsty; you won’t be denied. I’ve felt every teardrop in the darkness you cried. And I strove to remind you, that for those tears I died.’”
As the woman, her granddaughter, and the man who freely shared God’s love with the family walked into the water, it began to rain. I thought, “Surely God must be crying tears of joy now!”
As they came out of the water, we clapped with joy and quickly sought shelter from the rain. As people dispersed, I saw a man in a wheelchair. The man who had cared for him leaned over to talk with him and then shouted above the commotion, “Stop! We’re going to have another baptism!”
He and another man gently put their arms under the man, lifted him from his wheelchair, and carried him into the water as God’s joyful tears rained all around us.
Love shared, not from a command but freely offered in love.
Prayer Phrase
“You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity” (2 Corinthians 9:11).
Seeing with Generous Eyes
Sit in silence for a moment and center yourself with a few deep breaths. Reflect on the past day or week. Make a list of five ways you experienced God’s generosity—through people, creation, opportunities, or unexpected grace. After each item, offer a short prayer of thanks: “God of abundance, thank you for this gift.” Conclude with “May I carry this awareness into my day and respond with generosity in return.”
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.