We should also be open to the idea that we can be the answer to other people's prayers. I was particularly struck this week by a very familiar passage in Matthew on the subject of prayer. At the end of the ask-seek-knock teaching in Matt 7:7-11, Jesus says this:
"Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you." (v 12, NLT)
God Uses People
We know that God uses people to answer prayers. There are countless stories of someone praying for money and receiving it just in time, but no one ever received a physical cheque drawn on the Bank of Heaven and signed by God. There are accounts of food being provided, cars being given (my husband was once the recipient of one of those) and numerous other practical examples of prayers being answered by individuals responding to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
A Reason for Unanswered Prayer?
The question then arises about what happens to the pray-er if the person called on by the Lord to act fails to do so. Could it be that God sometimes gets the blame for unanswered prayer because one of His people didn't have the nerve to step out in faith and do as they were told?
Seek To Be The Answer
A regular part of our prayer life should be to ask the Lord how we can bless others and seek out opportunities for answering people's prayers. We are, after all, the body of Christ and he delights to use us.
Prayer College Assignment
Do for someone what you would like them to do for you. Ask the Lord to show you what you can do to be a part of the answer to another person's prayer. Then respond.
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