I have a friend who I mostly know through Facebook, but we originally met because our children went to the same neurosurgeon. We connected several months ago, and I've been following the latest trial by fire that her family had been going through. She writes beautifully, thoughtfully, inspiringly. Her heart is full of love for her daughter, her family and God.
A couple of weeks ago she wrote about how we scroll by on social media looking for the next thing that catches our interest. We "Like" or send hearts or emoticons in response. And we keep going. She asked that maybe we could stop and pray. She wrote about her daughter's suffering, and asked for prayer for her too. That request went around the world, and many, many people were responding and praying and sending photos of where they were when they stopped to pray for her daughter. It was wonderful to see how many people, how many places, how many loving and caring responses came to that post. I responded too.
When we like something that someone else has shared on Facebook, we often respond with, "I'm stealing this", which means we're going to put it on our own page. I've been thinking about Eileen's request, and I've decided that I'm not stealing it, but I'm sharing it and forwarding #stopandpray and hoping that others will catch the heart of it, stop and pray where they are, and share it on their social media, with photos. I'd love to see a blitz of prayer happening on my Facebook feed, instead of the negativity that I see so much of the time.
We are the people of God, heirs of His Kingdom, lovers of Jesus, and we are called to make a difference in the world. Some are not called to other countries, some are not called to street ministry, some are not called to be out there for everyone to hear and see. You may have a different opinion of this, but I, for one, rarely am able to do those things. Most of them, never. But I can make a difference for right where I live, right in my own home, right in my own neighborhood, town, Facebook page, and blog. I can make a difference when I pray at home, in my yard, when I grocery shop, when I'm driving. You can make a difference that way too, or when you jog, or walk the dog, or go outside to get the mail, stop for coffee at 7-11 or Starbucks, or when you sit on the porch to watch the sun setting and praise God for the beauty of His creation.
God stopped by this morning while I was reading Eileen's latest article in a local paper, and inspired me to write this. I hope you will join me and #stopandpray. I think it will be fun and maybe, just maybe inspire more prayer that changes the world. Thanks Eileen. Thank you Father.
A couple of weeks ago she wrote about how we scroll by on social media looking for the next thing that catches our interest. We "Like" or send hearts or emoticons in response. And we keep going. She asked that maybe we could stop and pray. She wrote about her daughter's suffering, and asked for prayer for her too. That request went around the world, and many, many people were responding and praying and sending photos of where they were when they stopped to pray for her daughter. It was wonderful to see how many people, how many places, how many loving and caring responses came to that post. I responded too.
When we like something that someone else has shared on Facebook, we often respond with, "I'm stealing this", which means we're going to put it on our own page. I've been thinking about Eileen's request, and I've decided that I'm not stealing it, but I'm sharing it and forwarding #stopandpray and hoping that others will catch the heart of it, stop and pray where they are, and share it on their social media, with photos. I'd love to see a blitz of prayer happening on my Facebook feed, instead of the negativity that I see so much of the time.
We are the people of God, heirs of His Kingdom, lovers of Jesus, and we are called to make a difference in the world. Some are not called to other countries, some are not called to street ministry, some are not called to be out there for everyone to hear and see. You may have a different opinion of this, but I, for one, rarely am able to do those things. Most of them, never. But I can make a difference for right where I live, right in my own home, right in my own neighborhood, town, Facebook page, and blog. I can make a difference when I pray at home, in my yard, when I grocery shop, when I'm driving. You can make a difference that way too, or when you jog, or walk the dog, or go outside to get the mail, stop for coffee at 7-11 or Starbucks, or when you sit on the porch to watch the sun setting and praise God for the beauty of His creation.
God stopped by this morning while I was reading Eileen's latest article in a local paper, and inspired me to write this. I hope you will join me and #stopandpray. I think it will be fun and maybe, just maybe inspire more prayer that changes the world. Thanks Eileen. Thank you Father.
