What If Your Prayers Were More About Others Than Yourself?

Lord, help me live from day to day
In such a self-forgetful way
That even when I kneel to pray
My prayers will be for OTHERS. 

- Charles D Miegs 

My wife and I were the parents of three young children when I attended a conference where the speaker used the captioned verse above in each of his messages. The words had a big impact on me so I memorized the poem. Throughout my life it has became a motto that has guided me in many of the decisions I have needed to make and in various situations I have faced. 

The chorus to the poem states: 

Others, Lord, yes, others
Let this my motto be;
Help me to live for Others
That I may live like Thee. 

I am sure I have failed to live up to the ideal expressed and there are people along the way who have not seen the best side of me. At such times I am grateful for a forgiving God who sets me back on the right path and gives me the privilege of continuing as a disciple maker. 

I have also learned that disciple making starts with prayer. Sometimes our prayers lead to opportunities to help others find their place in God's great story. Other times we just pray and trust that God knows what to do with those we will never meet.  

Applying this little poem on a day to day basis has led me to pray for people in the car stopped next to me at a street light. It has led me to pray that God will bring someone with the Good News to a young person I see walking down a street. It has also given me eyes to see people the way Jesus sees people - loved by God who has already taken care of their sin problem and has prepared a wonderful eternity for them if they turn to him. 

Being a disciple maker is the best job ever. It is important to just do what we can do in every situation and allow the Holy Spirit to do the rest of the work.