Abiding in Prayer

Do everything for the glory of God.   1 Corinthians 10:31

Over the Christmas holidays I reread a book by Jan Karon, “Shepherds  Abiding”.  In it a prayer that Father Tim says regularly really spoke to me, “Lord, make me a blessing to someone today”.  During the preparation for Christmas and throughout Christmas week, I wondered if I had ever thought that.  I was certainly engaged in the many activities that make for a family Christmas, but did I really hope to be a blessing to someone or was I just going through the motions?  Certainly I felt blessed by the gift of Jesus, the joy of the season and the rituals in church and family, but did I try to be a blessing to anyone?

At that point, I decided to adopt that prayer to start each day of 2018. The blessings I have received I hope to extend to those around me, remembering that I have the power to do so through Jesus Christ. 

Prayer:  Dear Lord, let me be a channel of God’s blessings to those around me, and share joy with the many others I meet. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Carolyn Brandle