"Take my life."

Good Morning,

1 Kings 19:4 (NIV)
He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, LORD," he said. "Take my life."

Today, this morning, right at this very moment in time, there are those on this planet, in this country, in this community, and even, perhaps among our own families and friends, who are praying this same prayer that Elijah prayed, alone in the desert.

There are those who pray this prayer because of ill health and cannot afford the medicines or doctor's visits necessary for them to become healthy. There are those who pray this prayer because they do not have enough decent food to eat. There are those who pray this prayer because they are in fear of losing their homes and will have no place for their families to live. There are those who pray this prayer because of despair in their lives due to the fact they have lost their jobs and do not have the means to support their spouses and children. There are those who pray this prayer for many, many reasons...some that we simply cannot understand nor comprehend. There are those who pray this prayer because they have lost hope...lost hope in almost everything.

So, what can we do about these people, these human beings, even some who are our brothers and sisters in Christ? What power to we have to help and offer some hope to end their despair; some way OTHER than praying for God to "Take my life."?

First, and above all else, we need to pray. We need to pray that those in ill health will be able to find the means to afford their medicines and medical procedures. We need to pray for those who, through no fault of their own, have found themselves in financial trouble in areas of their homes and groceries and the raising of their families. We need to pray for those who are in any kind of need that would lead them to pray for God to take them home. We need to pray...often and hard.

Prayer isn't all that we can do, but, yes, I must assert and agree that it IS the most important thing we can do. We also need to be looking around to see where there is need! We must get our heads out of the sand and stop ignoring the obvious that we see around us! We need to be obedient to what Jesus has taught about caring for our neighbors and providing for those in need...all kinds of need! How often do we have to read our Bibles to realize that WE ARE OUR BROTHER'S KEEPERS! How many times do we have to remember Jesus' words when He spoke of the "Good Samaritan" to remember that EVERYONE IS OUR NEIGHBOR and it is every one of us who is to be that "Good Samaritan" and helping others? Yes, my friends, we must cease our inactivity and actually DO something.

Each of us will, when we ask, be guided by the Holy Spirit in this. God will, surely, direct our thoughts as to what it is, specifically, we can do...as individuals and as communities and congregations. Perhaps He already has? Maybe the Holy Spirit has touched you...and me...in some way before this moment in time. You and I might know right now who it is we should be praying for. You and I might know right now where we should be putting our efforts. You and I might know this very moment where we should be helping with our finances. You and I...right now...probably DO know these things; know who, what, where we ought to be working.

Unfortunately, my friends, we aren't doing it. Well, I guess I shouldn't make a blanket statement like that; it's not 100% true. What I ought to say is that most of us aren't doing it. It is one thing to know what God is prompting us to do and another thing to take action on His direction.

Think about it. Pray about it. Do what you know you should.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David