For as the body is one, and hath many members,
 and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body:
so also is Christ.  
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body
...and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it;
or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
-1 Cor 12:12,13, 26

As I watched my husband over the past few weeks, I noticed that He had a lot on His plate.  There were several new projects that He was focused on at work, both of our cars were in need of repairs, there was an issue with our taxes that needed to be dealt with, and on and on.

Being the good Christian wife that I am, I went straight to my Father and started to pray...

 "Father God, please help my beloved husband.  He is a good man and he has a heart for you.  Please give him Your strength,  peace and wisdom as he tries to balance so many things at once!"  

Many of us have prayed prayers like that for people that we know and care about, right.  The typical, "Father, please help Brother and Sister So-and-So..." prayers. And, normally, that's where we all stop - Lord, would YOU please help them.

So, I naively thought that I was done.  I was ready to go on about my day and do all of the things that "I" had scheduled to do. But, God had other plans.

He began to say to me, "I heard your prayer, but why don't YOU stop and be the answer you're praying for in his life?"  I was a bit taken aback.  Whatever could God mean?  

We all know that we are God's hands and His feet - His word tells us that we are the Body of Christ here on the Earth.  He uses us to share and show His love to those around us.  To be sources of strength, encouragement, and provision for His children.  

We are His representatives here on the Earth. God does not just want us to pray, but He wants to use us to be an answer to prayer.

But, there are two major things that can stand in your way when moving PAST intercession and into ACTION!

#1  Sometimes the world and the problems in it can seem so big, and we ourselves can feel so small.  What could we possibly do to help?

But, "greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." (1John 4:4)  If you pray and ask God how you can help, He will show you.  Of course, there are some things that only God can fix, but that does not mean that your help is not needed. If someone is battling with their health, only God can heal them, but you can take them out to a movie and bring some joy into their lives.  

What you do doesn't have to be big.  Even a simple phone call can change someone's attitude, and give them the hope and strength to believe God just a little bit longer!

#2  But, what's the biggest culprit that steals our opportunity to be the answer?  We get so wrapped up in our own day to day lives that we can forget what is really important - Stepping out of our own life and into the life of someone who needs a little help.  Being Jesus' representatives here on the Earth.  Doing God's will, and not just our own.

When God told me to be an answer to the prayer I was praying for mu husband, I thought to myself - How and When?  I had stuffed my schedule so full, I didn't have enough hands and feet of my own, much less enough to be the hands and feet of God!  

But, taking our eyes off of ourselves and our needs opens up the door for God to bless us when we aren't even looking!  You will be amazed at how your time is compounded when you leave room to step out and be an answer to someone else's prayer.  If you don't, who will?

So, next time you pray for someone, before you say amen, stop and ask God, "Is there a way that You would have ME be a blessing to that person today?  How can I be Your hands and feet?  How can I be an answer?"


© Ameerah Lewis,  www.hem-of-his-garment-bible-study.org.  
Please do not use without permission.

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Be The Answer Challenge!

Email me your story of how you stepped out on faith this month and became God's hands and feet, touching someone else's life with His love!  All participants will be entered into a drawing to win a FREE copy of the Becoming God's Masterpiece Bible Study Program!

Some Ideas...

Praying for someone's finances?  Invite their family over for a casual dinner get-together once a week or even buy them a week's groceries.

Praying for someone's marriage? Volunteer to babysit for them so they can have some time alone rebuilding their union.

To Join in on the Challenge, Simply respond to this email and tell me how YOU were an answer to prayer!

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Monthly Meditations
Scripture Memory Card

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Print this scripture memory card, and meditate on these words from God throughout the month.  Allow His Word to renew your mind as you learn how to be an answer to prayer.

Learn More About Using Christian Meditations to Renew Your Mind!

Lord, Help Me To Be Your Hands and Feet The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ... we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. -1Corinthians 12:12,27  (NLT) However, He has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ…to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. - Ephesians 4:7,11,12 (NLT) Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world. – 1John 4:4

By Guest Columnist Karen Wolff

There's nothing worse than somebody trying to preach to you about something going on in your life when all you can think about is finding a way to make it right. At that moment, the last thing you want to see is somebody carrying a Bible, acting like they know exactly what you need and how you feel. And truth be told, when they ask you to read from their Bible, you're thinking you'd rather hit them over the head with it!

This is the very scenario that makes the concept of sharing your faith so intimidating. Most people would like to help others, but knowing what to say and how to say it stops you in your tracks. So how do share your faith without making people run and hide from you?

People can spot a phony from a mile away. The absolute worst thing you can do is say one thing and do another. If you aren't committed to applying Christian principles in your own life, you will not only be ineffective, but will be seen as insincere and phony. People aren't as interested in what you say, as they are in seeing how it's working in YOUR life.

Here are some practical things you can do where you don't have to say much at all:

• One of the best ways to share your faith is to demonstrate the very things you believe by staying positive and having a good attitude even in the middle of a crisis in your own life. Remember the story in the Bible about Peter coming out onto the water when Jesus called to him? He kept walking above the water as long as he stayed focused on Jesus. But once he focused on the storm, he sank.

  When the people around you see the peace in your life, especially when it seems like you're surrounded by storms, you can bet they'll want to know how to get what you got! On the other hand, if all they see is the top of your head as you sink into the water, there's not a whole lot to ask.

• Treat people with respect and dignity, no matter the circumstances. Whenever you have the opportunity, show how you don't change how you treat people, no matter what. Jesus treated people right, even when they mistreated Him. People around you will wonder how you're able to show this kind of respect for others. You never know, they may even ask.


• Find ways to be a blessing to others. This not only plants amazing seeds for a harvest in your own life, it shows others that you're not a phony. It shows that you live what you believe. Saying you're a Christian is one thing, but living it in tangible ways every day is something else. The Word says "they'll know them by their fruit."


• Don't compromise your beliefs. Situations happen every day where compromise is not only possible, but many times is expected. Show people that your Christianity means living a life of integrity. And oh yes, that means you tell the sales clerk when she undercharged you for that quart of milk!


• The ability to forgive quickly is a very powerful way to show how Christianity really works. Become a model of forgiveness. Nothing creates division, hostility, and turmoil more than an unwillingness to forgive the people who hurt you. Of course, there will be times when you are absolutely right. But being right doesn't give you a free pass to punish, humiliate, or embarrass someone else. And it most certainly doesn't eliminate your responsibility to forgive.

The best way to share your faith is be an example. People will want to know how you can be peaceful in the storm, why your kids are doing so well, why your marriage is so great, and how you know for sure about your purpose in life. And when they ask, you'll have all kinds of great stuff to share.

Karen Wolff is a friend of mine, and the founder of http://www.christian-books-for-women.com. Women will find info, tips, and help with issues like overcoming fear, jealousy, and building self esteem. Find book reviews, recommendations, and submit your favorite books so you can be a blessing to someone else.