by I came upon the verse below recently and I guess it stood out more than normal since old age is not just creeping up on me anymore, but it is taking hold and hanging on tight.
I Peter 4:11 “…if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
Most of the ladies I know worry and we worry about wanting to do more for Christ; but, for whatever God-given reason, they just cannot. But we still worry about it.
Maybe this little piece of a verse will encourage you. “…if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth…” We can only do what God gives us the ability to do.
If you have 5 children running around the house, you cannot do as much as someone whose children are grown and out of the house. If you have various health issues, you cannot do as much as others who have good health.
There are many God-given reasons as to why we may not be able to do all we want to do for the Lord – but according to God’s word above – it is okay. He has given each of us the ability to do something even if we can only pray.
I thought of this song by John W. Peterson:
“Why Worry”
Why worry, when you can pray?
Trust Jesus, He’ll be your stay.
Don’t be a doubting Thomas
Rest fully on His promise
Why worry, worry, worry, worry
When you can pray?
Then, I thought of re-writing the concept this way:
Why worry when you can pray.
Why worry if you can’t go on visitation – go pray!
Worry if you can and don’t.
Why worry if your health is failing and you can’t help at church – go pray!
Worry if you can and don’t.
Why worry if you can’t teach a Sunday School Class – go pray!
Worry if you can and don’t.
Why worry, worry, worry, worry –
When you can pray?
In other words, “Don’t worry if you can’t do more than your God-given ability” and keep in mind, God doesn’t want us to worry anyway about it.
I Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
In the past several years, a song that has become a favorite of mine is “Leave it There”.
“Leave it There” by Charles A. Tindley
1. If the world from you withhold of its silver and its gold,
And you have to get along with meager fare,
Just remember, in His Word, how He feeds the little bird,
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.
Refrain:
Leave it there, leave it there,
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.
If you trust and never doubt, He will surely bring you out,
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.
2. If your body suffers pain and your health you can’t regain,
And your soul is almost sinking in despair,
Jesus knows the pain you feel, He can save and He can heal,
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there. [Refrain]
3. When your enemies assail and your heart begins to fail,
Don’t forget that God in heaven answers prayer;
He will make a way for you and will lead you safely through,
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there. [Refrain]
4. When your youthful days are gone and old age is stealing on,
And your body bends beneath the weight of care,
He will never leave you then, He’ll go with you to the end,
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there. [Refrain]
Again, why worry, give it all to the Lord and do what your God-given abilities will allow you to do. If you can only pray – then be a prayer warrior for God.
I was recently talking to my husband about my prayer warriors are passing on to be with the
Lord. “We are losing our prayer warriors.” I told him.
So, if your only God-given ability is to pray – then step up to the plate of a very challenging job and become a prayer warrior today. It is simply written in the Bible.
I Timothy 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”
In conclusion, stop worrying about what you cannot do for the Lord. Focus on what you can do and if you can only pray – then pray and become a prayer warrior today!
Yes, I guess I’m trying to recruit more prayer warriors. Are you up to the challenge?
James 5:16 “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth (To assist or profit) much.”
