Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. Hebrews 12:28
“Prayer strengthens us against temptation. The Lord addresses the same words to us as He did to the disciples in Gethsemane. Why do you sleep? Rise up and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. We need to pray always, but there are times when we must intensify our prayer by making an effort to focus our loving attention more fervently, as when family or work-related difficulties loom large or when we are assailed by temptation. Through the union established with the Lord when we pray well, we remain vigilant in the face of adversity. This personal dialogue also helps us to work better, to fulfill our duties to our family and society with more generosity, and to treat others with more consideration and courtesy.”
Francis Fernandez in In Conversation with God: Meditations for Each Day of the Year, volume 7 (London: Scepter, 1993) 306.
I’ve experienced consideration and courtesy from fellow believers in Trinidad & Tobago. Praying for the same reception in Guyana. And I am enjoying exploring the connection between prayer, gratitude, and generosity.
Because of what we have in Christ, we need not let anything shake us. I pray you have an unshakable day flowing out of your communion with God. And I pray that you treat people with generosity, consideration, and courtesy.
It’s a busy time of year. We can fall into the trap of taking no time to pray. Then we function according to the flesh, forget the kingdom we are receiving, and fail to live in thankfulness. Everything unravels. Don’t let it happen to you.
I typed everything written above yesterday morning. The only thing I want to add before going to sleep is gratitude to God for helping our GTP team walk away from a head on collision with this car on our final day in Trinidad & Tobago.
Bickram, our driver and host, broke two fingers and has whiplash symptoms along with John as they had seatbelts on in the front of the van.
Horace got many cuts flying from the second row of the van through the front seats to the dashboard. Lea in the third row flew into the front driver seat. And I always walk to the back row of the van for leg room.
I flew all the way to hit my head on the back of the passenger seat suffering a bruise on my ribs and right knee from the flip down seat that was up.
Long story short. Over the next 5 hours, we experienced the consideration and courtesy of two ambulances, the emergency room staff, and even the Hilton people delivered bags of ice to our respective rooms.
I praise God we are alive. We will continue our mission in Guyana with even stronger resolution to serve. Thanks for your prayers.