Teach me to pray

As many of you know, the Lord made a way for our church to hand out tracts at the Ocean County Mall every other Friday. This has become a wonderful ministry opportunity for Tim and me. I am personally blessed by this, as it is stretching me to step out of my comfort zone (which is always a good thing). By God's grace I am catching on to the excitement of sharing Christ with total strangers. Though Tim does most of the talking, the Lord has allowed me share in this wonderful opportunity.

We never know from week to week where our table will be set up. It's always in the center court but depending on what's going on it can be moved around. Lately it's been situated in front of a pole, attached to which is a monitor advertising "Model Search." Many people approach our table thinking we are representatives for a modeling company (I'm doubtful it's because of our looks!! However, sometime I will have to tell you about Tim's brief modeling career!!!). When we explain who we are, why we are there and that the place to sign up for modeling is under the monitor, they quickly thank us and move on.

This morning we were taught from Philippians 3:18,19 about "the enemies of the cross," those whose "god is their belly" and who "glory in their shame," whose "end is destruction." I was convicted. You see, though at the mall to share the glory of the Gospel, I have often stood in self-righteous judgment of those whose only interest is their own glory.

How easily I (we?) click my tongue at the evils of the world, the sins of this generation, the offensiveness of the lives of neighbors, family, co-workers and the godlessness of most who stop at our table in the mall; but how little I pray for them. I never cry for them. I never really stop to think about their eternal destiny and of how their fate (unless they repent and turn in faith toward Christ for their salvation) is completely opposite to mine. Mine is heaven. Theirs is hell. Mine is eternal joy in the presence of God. Theirs is everlasting suffering in the absence of God's love. Mine is freedom from pain, sorrow and sin. Theirs is bondage to eternal suffering and regret.

With the help of God, the next time I am tempted to judge unbelievers I am going to first remember that if it were not for God's electing, saving grace I would be totally consumed with myself and completely godless. And then I want to turn my thoughts to prayer. Real prayer. Prayer that will grab hold of their knees and hold them back from destruction. "Lord, teach me to pray like this."