As disciples of Christ, we are to be in the world in such a way that we are exposing our communities to the love of God. It is the “great commission”! Everything we do and everything we are about should indicate that not only does God love us but also that we love God!

We have a powerful resource available to us that provides a pathway to success in this mission. Prayer! It is my belief that praying for someone is the most powerful thing you can do for a person. After all, prayer is entering into the presence of God by way of the blood of Christ who opened the door for it. We are invited into conversation with the Father. It is His will that the believers go into the world and make disciples. So, it would make perfect sense that we would start off by calling on Him for guidance, wisdom, and strength. I mean, otherwise how can we proclaim His will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven?

Over the time of my existence in this world, I have heard many who lament over the condition of our world or our nation and sometimes even the condition of our own communities. I submit to you that it is not proper to cry out for God to do something to make the world a better place without realizing our role in how He wants to do that.

Take a moment to think about it. When we cry out to God to bless our community or our nation, even the entire world because we see the condition of society and are concerned. But are we concerned about what God is concerned about? Do we want God to bless our communities for the reason He wants to bless them? If we are about making disciples and exposing the world to the Love of God, then Yes. Yes, we are in line with His plan!

Let us look at Paul’s ministry for a moment. As Paul traveled the world teaching and preaching the gospel message and loving the people, he often told them that he would be praying for them. However, the most powerful thing he ever did for his ministry effort was to pray. I mean that he prayed for himself.

That’s right. He prayed for himself. Yeah, I know. That sounds so selfish. But maybe the selfish prayer is asking God to bless our nation or community because it is not the way we like it. No, we must understand that the life of the disciple of Christ is a life that is about the mission of going into the world and reaching others with the gospel.

We can see in scripture that Paul understood the importance of praying for himself so much that he called on others to pray for him as well.

“and pray on my behalf, that utterance my be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.” – Ephesians 6:19

“praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.” – Colossians 4:3-4

“Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you;” – 2 Thessalonians 3:1

If we really want our world to be better. If we really want people to suffer less and have more joy in life, then we must pray for ourselves! We must pray for ourselves because we, the Church, are the tool with which God is using to answer the prayers that we lift up for our Nation and our communities!

The bottom line is that God sees the condition of the world and the condition of our community! He also wants us to see it! So, when we cry out, please pray for our nation, or please pray for our community, just know that if you are in Christ, you are the answer!

Therefore, if we really want God to bless our community then we must pray for ourselves. In fact, I believe that praying for ourselves in the same way that Paul was asking other believers to pray for him, is the most powerful way to pray for others!

How will the lost ever know truth if we do not boldly live it in front of them?

I will be praying for all of you brothers and sisters and asking you to pray for me. That our witness will be bold and genuine for the sake of the gospel. For the sake of the lost!

To God be the Glory!