God Always Answers This Prayer

I read somewhere a daily prayer that I have adopted as my own. I want to share it with you.

I pray daily, “God, please take me to someone I need and someone who needs me today.”

There are several reasons I like this approach to a day.

First, it is simple.

We are far more apt to act on something simple than complex.

Secondly, it is memorable.

Directives that are simple and embody something we want to do are easy to remember. Everyone wants to be a positive influence in someone’s life.

Thirdly, it is actionable.

Give me something I can act on quickly and get results and I’ll keep doing it.

Fourthly, it is easy to evaluate.

At the end of the day, one can think back over the last 12-15 hours and determine if their prayer was answered – for either request. Most days, the answers will be obvious!

I often recognize the person or persons as I interact with them. It is fun to think, “I need this person today, thanks, Lord, or this person needs me today.” Yes, there have been days when one or the other requests did not seem obvious or answered, but they are few.

Fifth, and most important, is that this request embodies the Great Commandment.

Jesus repeatedly explained that love is the key to fulfilling God’s desires for us. He told us to love in three ways: love yourself, love others as you love yourself, and love God even more.

 There is a common misconception of this command. We deduce that we are to love others and love God. However, the directive to love others is predicated on loving ourselves. It is difficult to love others if you don’t love yourself, and we generally treat others based on how well we love ourselves.

If one of the first things we do each day is ask God for something, especially a request like this one, we do so because we love Him. The prayer reveals that we want God to be part of our day and depend on His grace to carry out His desires for us.

When the prayer is fulfilled, and we realize that what just happened was God’s desire for us, we can immediately thank Him for the opportunity. This is another demonstration of our love for the Father.

So, if we ask to meet someone every day who enriches our lives and makes us a better person, and we love the person doing it, we have completed the first two commands. If we look for someone we could enrich, we fulfill the last two commands. Jesus taught that what we do for others is, in effect, loving Him.  

Here’s a for instance. I stopped at the new bagel shop on the Pike a few days ago. I like going there for a delicious bagel sandwich and reading for an hour or so. As I was standing in line, a lady approached me, put her hand on my arm, and, with a big smile, told me she was a member of Vibrant Church when I was the pastor there. She told me she missed me and then explained how much she likes these blog articles. She said she never missed one and told me to keep writing.

My bagel sandwich was extra special that day!  I needed that. Prayer answered.

Yesterday, I was walking into Target, and a man approached me and introduced himself. Though it had been years since I’d seen him, I recognized him immediately, and we enjoyed a delightful chat. My Target visit was much improved. I needed that. Prayer answered.

I frequent several restaurants almost weekly, and at most of them, I get to know the bartenders. There is a very special one at one restaurant. She’s a short, spunky, fun woman and one of the best bartenders I’ve ever seen. Over the years, my friend and I have learned about her family, and we follow the latest news on each child weekly. She loves animals and has several dogs, as well as a bunny.

She seemed a little off on one particular day, and we soon found out why. Her house burned down, and some of her pets didn’t make it. The family lost most of their possessions. I couldn’t fathom how that must feel. Fortunately, they had a place to go and could stay there until they got everything sorted out.

This moment allowed me to listen and say a few words. It wasn't easy to hold back the tears. Later that week, I also got the opportunity to help out in another way, which I considered an honor. Prayer answered. My friend and I will do whatever we can to help as the situation progresses. One thing I know for sure is that she and her family are strong people and will come out the other side of this tragedy. It is a pleasure to know I might have helped in some small manner.

I have a close friend who lives in Ashville, North Carolina, where Helene created havoc. I texted him after the storm, “Are you okay?” He and his wife happened to be in Ohio at the time and were safe. They learned their home was in good shape but had no electricity, water, or cell service. They still cannot get into their home. He explained the situation and thanked me for checking in. Perhaps my text encouraged him and his wife. Knowing his friends were thinking about him and his wife and praying for them was comforting. My prayer was answered.

Lord, today, please take me to someone I need and someone who needs me.