Prayer ~ Our last hope?

Last night Carol told me about a family member who called/text her and told her that her grandson was in the hospital. He is only 3 and having trouble breathing, he is stable now and we are thankful for that. I can't tell you how many times in a year someone calls, emails or stops me to ask me to pray for them - pray for them/someone because it is what we do. What does that really mean? It is what we do~
If someone asks you to pray for them or on their behalf - doesn't it also mean there is something in that person that believes? Why then would they ask me to pray for them? Is it because they don't have a relationship with Jesus and they want one? Or they don't know how to start one? Maybe they just don't know what to do 0r they are thinking they are not good enough. Maybe they are just waiting to get everything right in their lives so that one day they too will have a relationship with Jesus and that heaven will be a part of their lives. Too many times, we hear about someone getting killed in a car crash - a stroke- heart attack whatever....taking a life too early. Never having the chance to say goodbye..... its hard but it is also comforting to know the person had his heart right with Jesus.
Friends - our salvation does not come from our parents - being a good person - never committing the big 3 sins in murder/rape/stealing - we get our salvation from giving our hearts to Jesus. That is it! He is the only way .... heaven is not finding a mate to settle down with in life and living out your lives together - its nice but it won't get you to heaven. Heaven is not seeing a beautiful sunset or sunrise - God just created them!
Prayer always seems to be the last step in a persons struggles. God is put last when he should be put first. Our heavenly Father wants to hear from you. He wants to hear about your heart - your struggles - your hangups. He is never pushy and is always patient. He is your heavenly father!
You will never have everything right in your life. You will never get it all together. God accepts you right where you are and a new life can begin today if you would just ask Him. I don't mind at all praying for the lost - their struggles and situations or healing. It opens the door to talk about the things in life that really matter. God uses us just for that purpose. To come along side someone and lovingly share the practical love of Jesus with them.
I am praying for this family... and God knows they asked for prayers. Maybe one day soon - their prayers will come from them. That will be a day that God is smiling. A family awaits.....

Lonnie~

Ephesians 1:5
The God of Glory 3-6How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.