It is my prayer that every Christian recognizes the importance of serving God through the way we serve others.  There are few things, if any, that are as emotionally exhilarating, and draining, as the task of serving others.  Having worked in a variety of ministry settings, including various roles within Christian camp ministry, I understand the excitement that often comes with the beginning of a new ministry or ministry season.  I also understand the weariness than can develop when our focus begins to drift away from the ministry of serving and onto ourselves.

This is day three in the fourth week of devotions from the book, “Serving God: Devotions for Active Worship”.  This devotional book is laid out in thirteen weeks of daily devotions with each week wrapped around an aspect of how we can serve others.  Each of these devotions are designed to help a person spend time with God to see how serving others is an act of worship.

Serving God:
Courage To Pray

“You, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him. So your servant has found courage to pray to you.  O LORD, you are God! You have promised these good things to your servant.  Now you have been pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, O LORD, have blessed it, and it will be blessed forever.“
1 Chronicles 17:25-27 (NIV)

Are there people that you have a hard time talking to?  Why?  How about if you need to ask for something?  Does that increase or decrease the difficulty of communication?  Are there things that you don’t pray about, or have never even considered praying about?  Have you ever thought about needing courage in order to pray effectively?  Would having courage to pray in all circumstances change the way you serve people?  How do you need to pray today for those you serve?

The fear that I have of people is not limited to strangers.  It is a difficult fear to explain because I’m not afraid of them harming me, I’m just afraid of any type of potential interaction.  Even as a child I would be too afraid to ask my parents for things I wanted or needed.  Too afraid to ask teachers for permission to use the restroom.  Too afraid to ask for help when needed from people who would have been very willing to help.  Sometimes I think many people have that same level of fear when it comes to interacting with God.  We don’t know why, we just lack the courage to pray as we ought.

Ask God to give you the courage to go to Him about everything.  Use that courage to pray for those you serve.

In prayer,

Tom