When I saw pictures of Chennai flooded, I felt sad.. I said a prayer... when I heard there was an attack in Paris, I was furious.. I said a prayer... yes, my duty as a christian, as a follower of Jesus was over... I felt good, I had done my job... I can tick off being a concerned human being. But, did I really pray? Or was it an automatic response from being a Christian all these years? did I pray so I can be off the hook? Did i cry for them? Did I feel the pain?
The answer - No, I don't think I really prayed. Yes, it was an automatic response. I didn't cry for them. I didn't feel the pain... not until today. Why? Becos my brother sent me pictures of his house flooded in Chennai... That's why... It hit close to my heart. Now, I feel the pain... My brother moved upstairs to my parents house, with his wife and 3 month old baby. This started a domino effect of emotions in me. Where did all the people in the slums go? where did that family who lives on the pavement go? where did their baby sleep tonight? I felt the pain... Now, I really prayed....I prayed, I prayed for the city I was born in...I thought of the Syrian refugees, I put myself there, I saw my son in the children drowning...now, I felt the pain... I cried, now I really prayed... I thought of rescue and relief workers, I thought of their families, I felt the pain, I prayed.
I prayed today..I mean, I really prayed. I prayed for others and realized how blessed I am... every problem I faced seemed nothing compared to what others are going through right now. I have everything I need and want, yet I always seem to find something to worry about...
Five things I learned today. When you really pray, you are at peace at the end of it. When you really pray, God does answer. When you really pray, you actually pray more for others than yourself or your own family. When you really pray, you realize how blessed you are. When you really pray, you praise God more than you usually do.
Stop and think for a moment... Are you really praying? or is it one of your daily routines like brushing your teeth... Have a great week!
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