Often during this time in my life God was urging me to make prayer more of a priority. As I’ve gotten older, I have learned to appreciate prayer more and more, especially when people need help, and I don’t know what to do.  God is sovereign and when He calls His people to pray there’s a good reason for it!  Always!

From the journal  . . . . May 1995

Good Morning, Lord.  Yesterday went fine.  During our praise and prayer time I realized that You’ve called me to pray.  Simply put, I am to talk to You about others and ask for Your blessings on them.  I’m always indebted to You: for myself, my family, friends, and others.  Lord, be glorified in my life.  Use me, Lord.  I can pray because I know people are so important to You.  Lord, I believe You are speaking to me.

And I Believe God Said:

Tell Elaine that she is of the utmost importance to Me.  She won’t know how to reply but pay attention to how she responds.  You will gain insight in how to pray. 

Isaiah 43:4 Others were given in exchange for you.
 I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me.
    You are honored, and I love you. NLT

Watch people.  Watch them for Me.  Offer hope and encouragement.  The body of Christ needs conviction and encouragement, but the world needs hope and love. 

Romans 15:2  We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.

Daniel 10:19. “Don’t be afraid,” he said, “for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!” As he spoke these words to me, I suddenly felt stronger and said to him, “Please speak to me, my lord, for you have strengthened me.”

Don’t expect thanks or appreciation from them. My thanks was a cross.  But don’t let that discourage you.

John 15:18 ¹⁸ “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. ¹⁹ The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. 

As I read this, I’m wondering if it would be a good conversation starter to tell people that they are of the utmost importance to God.  I know that it is true and who knows when people need to be reminded of that. Who knows? I think we know the answer to that!