Continuing reflection on the Prayer Card from the Christian organisation called Medical Missionary News (https://mmn.uk.com), Thursday’s prayer is for HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMMES.
“Prevention is better than cure, so pray for those seeking to deliver teaching programmes that will educate the community on how they can minimise the risk of illness or how they can support those who are suffering. Pray that the local church will see this as an opportunity to be an outreach and witness to the community.”
I recall a time, many years ago, when I was under great pressure at work but was unwilling to share it with anyone. At the end of a church service, I was asked, “How are you? To which I replied, “Fine, thank you”. To my surprise, the Christian friend continued, “No, you are not, are you?” “Well, I am under a bit of stress at the moment”, I admitted and then received an “arm hug”. No further words were said, but I was amazed that this man perceived something about me that no one else had mentioned.
Suffering has been described as – the state of undergoing pain, distress, or hardship. Like my Christian friend who sensed, or was divinely guided to ask the question, may we be sensitive to the needs of others.
I recall a comment that “the world is divided into two types of people: Those who love to talk and those who are waiting for the other person to stop so they can start”. While there may be an element of truth in that comment, I trust that we may, with God’s help, not be too self-centred as to miss any opportunity to help anyone that we meet, who is “suffering”.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please help us to be sensitive to the needs of those we meet, and give us the wisdom to know how to best serve you in any situation. AMEN