For most of us, our live are very full. Jobs, family, friends, colleagues, church responsibilities, home maintenance, hobbies, and recreation fill our days.
But where we live is part of God’s plan. Even if you did not ask the Lord for his direction when you chose to live there, God intends for you to be a doorkeeper to his presence and his power in the neighbourhood where you live. Everywhere we, his people are, is both a sacred place and a mission centre.
Secondly, we are assigned to be priests for every area of our influence. “For you are a kingdom of priests…” (1 Peter 2:9) The responsibility of a priest is to take the needs of others into the holy place before God and speak to him on their behalf. We delight in being free to come to him for ourselves, but that is only part of what ‘priesthood’ means. We need to take upon ourselves the names of people whom God has given us influence with or responsibility for, and bring them regularly to God’s throne. We are priests for our street and our workplace. Will you ask the Lord to put on you a priestly prayer garment? When you enjoy his presence, will you remember to take others with you into that holy place and present their needs before God?
Thirdly, God wants all to be saved, to come to know him and enjoy his favour. We have no idea who will receive him or who will reject him. So we cannot be selective about who we should share his love with. Everyone deserves an opportunity to know him. His Shepherd heart aches for all who are lost.
Look at Luke 15 – the lost coin, the lost sheep and the lost son. Why did Jesus tell these three stories? What are the common elements in these stories? The longing of the one who searches. The joy when they find... SELAH! As you see your work colleague or your neighbour or their house let this thought run through your mind, “God wants you to come to know him. Jesus died so you can enjoy the favour of God.” I guarantee your heart will begin to ache with his concern and you will find yourself open to the voice of the Spirit prompting you as to what you can say and do about it. This is how truth changes us inwardly.
Fourthly, in your street there are people hungry to know God. Not sure about this one? Don’t you think that in 100 people there would be two or three (or more?) who are seeking God, or curious about him? Around 33 houses have, on average, 100 people in them. What if you walked up and down your street, or your part of it, and counted out 30 or so houses? Then you said to yourself, “In this area there are some people hungry to know God – and God is longing to meet them – and I can help them meet him.” Try it – and I will guarantee that your heart will become hungry to find who they are. Then you’ll begin to wonder how you can connect them to the Father who seeks them.
Taken from my prayer website www.prayerchangeslives.org.nz - devoted to provoking and equipping prayer in churches and homes.
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