What can we do for God?

What can I do?

So many of our prayers are about asking God to do or give things for us. What if, just for a change, we asked God what we can do for Him? What if, for a change, we focussed not on ourselves and our problems, but on God and other people’s problems? What if, for a change, we trusted God and His judgement rather than ourselves and our own judgement?

Have you entered into prayer lately with anything other than a shopping list albeit for yourself, but also for your family, and for others? When did you last pray Psalm 91 or Psalm 121 over your family and then move on? When was the last time you prayed any scripture over yourself and your family, or even over your church?

The problem with preachers and blog writers is that they ask all sorts of rhetorical questions and just leave them hanging in the air – unanswered and mostly unanswerable. Well allow me to give an answer of sorts. It may or may not help you, but I must ask a further question first. When was the last time our authority in Christ was explained or preached in your church?

You see, Jesus was given all authority by His Father and He gave it to us too. Why else would He give us such a tremendous job to do as He did in Mark 16:15-16 “He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.  Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. “ However, having given that command, He then went on in verses 16-18, “And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;  they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well. “ There is the authority – They will drive out demons, speak in new tongues, and heal the sick. Jesus doesn’t say that we might, or could, or probably will. He doesn’t say we should pray and then He might or could or probably will. He says we WILL do these things.

Jesus has already said that He is our provider, that He is our healer, and that He is the Good Shepherd who looks after all of His sheep. He has already told us that, before we pray, He knows what we need and that He will supply that need.

So I believe God is calling us to abandon our prayers for ourselves, to abandon our usual asking for what we think we need or, more likely, what we want, and for us to ask instead what it is that He wants for us each day. The answers may surprise us, but the joy of obedience to His will and the peace of knowing we are doing what He wants us to do, are immeasurable.

Ask not what God can do for you. Rather ask God what you can do for Him. Then listen for His response and quite simply, just do it.