Great Love, because of the Greatest Love
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13
On this day when many of us are occupied with chocolate, candy, and all things red and pink, I would like to share with you some prayer requests from a fellow member of my church who is serving with the U.S. Marines in Iraq. His name is Gary, and I found his prayer card at church:
- That God will use whatever instrument, my unit included, as a means to restrain the lawless deeds of lawless men and then providentially open a door for others to bring the Gospel to the people in the area
- That I may lead my Marines and obey my commanders well so that in every case I may honor the Lord through my service and earn the right to speak of Him to others
- That if I must fire my weapon, it will never be in anger or out of hatred for my enemy. And also, that if I must fire my weapon, that I will shoot straight and hit every target center mass.
- That if I die, my parents may find comfort in the Scriptures and the saints so that they might not grumble against the Lord.
- That if I do not die, but am physically maimed, that I will find comfort in the Scripture and the saints so that I might not grumble against the Lord.
- That God will grant our nation repentance. For if we are to be an instrument to judge another nation, we must all the more be a just people ourselves unless we desire the justice of God against us.
- That I do not cease to pray for the saints at Immanuel Baptist Church.
- Pray also for Gary and his unit’s safe return.
May we pray for Gary and all the other men and women who are serving in dangerous places for our freedom and that of the oppressed. Their love for country and God is an example to us all.
A Matter of Necessity
It’s about time I shared some prayer requests. I have been deliberately keeping these things to myself lately, but I thought it would be appropriate to open up a little here and humbly ask for your prayers in these matters. They’re in no particular order, but in and of themselves, they are all related in one way or another.
- I need a job. I’ve been applying to just about every single on-campus job posting, but so far, nothing has really come to fruition. A part-time job would be helpful in terms of additional income for paying for the “extra” / non-necessity things.
- I need a car. This is inevitable prayer request that I have been putting off to the side. Living off of the transportation of friends is fine, but I could really use a car to just get around and have more of a life outside campus.
- I need You, Jesus. Reminiscent to one of my favorite modern praise songs, “I need You Jesus to come to my rescue / Where else can I go? There’s no other name by Which I am saved / Capture me with grace / I will follow You” I have been lacking passion the past couple weeks since the new semester started. This may not seem like a big deal, but I am the kind of person who lives and thrives on ‘passion’ (the degree of difficulty I’m willing to endure to achieve the goal), for I can never happily or effectively accomplish anything without passion. My zeal and “fire” for just about anything and everything has somehow faded, and I am really in need of the Spirit’s empowerment right now. If I don’t get this back soon, my ability to honor God in my studies will be greatly diminished :S I simply need Jesus to manifest Himself as my sole drive and passion again.
- I need contentment. On a related note, I find myself somewhat… discontent with myself right now. This applies to many aspects of my life — whether it be in my spiritual disciplines, fending off temptations, my ability to speak and teach, my outlook on the things I have and don’t have, quiet jealousy towards those who “have”, my accomplishments and my dreams, hopes and ambitions. I am thankful that God has carried me through to the place I currently am, but at the same time, I want so much more. And I am trying. But I am just so weak, and I cannot do anything apart from His strength that works in me.
Recently, while talking to an older mentor/friend of mine about growing up in Toronto, he asked me whether I would have wanted Nike shoes as a kid if the kids around me didn’t have them. My answer was, probably not, or at least the feelings of want would not be as strong for a long time. This sentiment is the same for many areas my life, and for yours also. If people around me did not have __, I would likely not want it. But seeing as so many people around me do have ___, I consequently thus also want it. And that by itself is greed, jealousy, and covetedness — sins of discontentment that must be repented of daily.
I really pray and pray that I could soon say genuinely that I am content in my heart. I do not know what that will look like, or how that will feel, but I know that once those heart-affections are solely in Christ, everything else will fall into place!
9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
