Why Do I Pray .com

Tag: christianity

  • Lord Help Me Be Faithful in the Small Tasks

    A friend sent me this yesterday and I wanted to share:

    His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.
    Matthew 25:21, ESV

    Jesus defines success as being faithful in a few things. What…really? In a culture that rewards and elevates hyperactivity and superhuman productivity, our Savior Jesus is unimpressed, as He clarifies that His reward is focused faithfulness. Jesus flips this script entirely. “Faithful in a few things”—these words cut through our cultural noise like a quiet revolution. While we’re scrambling to prove our worth through busyness, He’s watching for something different: depth over breadth, quality over quantity. The master doesn’t promote the servant who managed five different ventures poorly, but the one who stewarded what he had with excellence. Jesus isn’t impressed by our exhaustion or our packed calendars. He’s looking for people who can tend well to small projects before being trusted with complex deals. Success, in His economy, is measured not by how much we accumulate or accomplish, but by how faithfully we cultivate what’s already in our hands. Faithfulness with a few things invites in God’s many gifts of grace.

    In the Parable of the Talents, Jesus tells the story of a wealthy merchant who, in preparation for his business trip, gathers his most trusted servants—those who have worked in his household and know his ways. To each, he distributes a portion of his wealth—not as a gift, but as a test. One receives five talents, another two, and the third just one. “Trade with these until I come back.” These are the master’s instructions. Then he departs, leaving them with nothing but their judgment, their character, and this weighty responsibility. Months pass. Two of the servants dive into the work—buying, selling, negotiating, and taking calculated risks. They understand that faithfulness doesn’t mean having a perfect plan but working a plan; it means multiplying what they’ve been given. The third servant, paralyzed by fear, does nothing. It’s not just about the money, of course. It’s about recognizing that everything we have—our abilities, our opportunities, our very lives—comes to us as a trust. And faithfulness isn’t measured by the size of what we’re given, but by what we do with it. Faithfulness in a few things increases influence.

    Consider the mother who chooses to be fully present during bedtime stories rather than scrolling her phone—her children grow up feeling deeply valued. The teacher who learns every student’s name and remembers their struggles—she watches quiet kids blossom into confident speakers. The friend who shows up consistently, not with fanfare but with reliability—he becomes the person others call in crisis. There’s the small business owner who perfects her craft rather than chasing every trend—customers become loyal advocates who spread her reputation. The married couple who do the hard work of relational repair. These people aren’t changing the world in headlines, but they’re significantly changing their corner of it. Their faithfulness in small things creates ripple effects: trust deepens, influence expands naturally, and opportunities arrive unbidden. They discover that mastering the few things leads to a kind of success that can’t be manufactured—only cultivated. What are the few things your Heavenly Father has for you?

    Prayer
    Lord, help me be faithful with the small tasks You entrust to me. Teach me to serve with joy and diligence, trusting You to multiply my obedience for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.

    Application
    Where is the Lord calling you to be faithful in a few things? What things do you need to stop doing to free up time for the few?

  • What Does The Bible Say About Coincidence

    What Does The Bible Say About Coincidence?

    (From a website GotQuestions .org)

    The word coincidence is used only once in the New Testament, and it was by Jesus Himself in the parable of the Good Samaritan. In Luke 10:31, Jesus said, “And by a coincidence a certain priest was going down in that way, and having seen him, he passed over on the opposite side.” The word coincidence is translated from the Greek word synkyrian, which is a combination of two words: sun and kurios. Sun means “together with,” and kurious means “supreme in authority.” So a biblical definition of coincidence would be “what occurs together by God’s providential arrangement of circumstances.”

    What appears to us as random chance is in fact overseen by a sovereign God who knows the number of hairs on every head (Luke 12:7). Jesus said that not even a sparrow falls to the ground without our Father’s notice (Matthew 10:29). In Isaiah 46:9–11, God states unequivocally that He is in charge of everything: “I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do.”

    When we consider life events, we tend to classify them as “important” or “unimportant.” Many people have no problem believing that God is in charge of the “big things” but assume that such a big God would not trouble Himself with the seemingly miniscule events of our everyday lives. However, that understanding is colored by our human limitations and not supported by Scripture. For God, there are no unimportant events. He does not need to conserve His strength because His power is limitless. His attention is never divided. If the Lord God tracks every sparrow (Matthew 10:29), then nothing is too small for His attention. He is often referred to as the Almighty (Genesis 17:1; Exodus 6:3; Job 13:3), a name denoting unrestricted power and absolute dominion.

    Citing coincidence is how we humans explain unexpected events and surprise meetings. But just because we are taken by surprise does not mean that God is. Scripture is clear that God allows sinful humans to make mistakes and reap the consequences of those mistakes, but only a sovereign God could also promise that He will make “all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). In ways known only to God, He takes even our mistakes and unplanned events and weaves them together to fulfill His purposes.

    In Old Testament times, God often used the Urim and Thummin, pieces of the high priest’s ephod, to help give guidance and instruction (Exodus 28:30; Leviticus 8:8; 1 Samuel 30:7–8). In the New Testament, we see the apostles trusting God’s sovereignty when they cast lots to choose a new disciple to replace Judas (Acts 1:26).

    Though each of these means of communication seems insignificant, God has shown throughout Scripture that He can use the smallest object or event for His purposes. God does not seem to allow for “coincidence.” The administration of the universe is not based on serendipity. The Bible says that God’s purposes will prevail and that He is in control of even the most random event (Proverbs 19:21). Proverbs 16:33 says, “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.” What may seem insignificant to us may be in fact a result of God’s omniscient power working on our behalf to accomplish His will in our lives.

  • Answered Prayer to Stop a Suicide

    Here is my first testimony of answered prayer ❤️

    When you’re at the point of death. Yes death. And someone comes along and saves you. All I’ve ever seen have been so appreciative.

    That’s me. No one knew. I had shared it with not one human being, not a tree in the woods …I have a reason for saying that. It’s another testimony in itself that includes an Uncle from Salt Lake. Anyway …no one knew.

    I had it all planned out. I was miserable, hurting and empty. I had two young children but was empty and so selfish only thinking of my pain. I was so empty I could not think of love just pain. I had suffered losing a Husband to suicide 😔 😭😭😭 and remarried to an abusive man. And I was hurting inside. I’d tried what I felt like was everything. None of it made this life worth living.

    I had made up my mind , had the beer in the car and the strongest sleeping pills available. I knew that because the doctor who prescribed them told me so. Another crazy story. Anyway…I was ready , just hadn’t done it quite yet. But knew I was with absolutely no doubt.

    Well someone unexpectedly knew my plans. I had no idea. But on November 22, 1981 on a Sunday morning at 10 am …I was in my living room (location of our home and additional details another story ) I tuned the TV on and stopped on a preacher. Who was he ? I have no idea. Because he was not my rescuer.

    He was the one who introduced me to my rescuer , but he wasn’t the one. One day I hope to also meet him and say thank you for your obedience.

    But that November morning, I met LIFE ! TRUE LIFE !!! HIS NAME IS JESUS !!! HE’S the one that knew my plans and sent this preacher to ask the very thing I had decided. The preacher asked if I , yes me because I was listening. My husband was in the room but not listening. So this man was talking to me. He asked have you tried everything this life has to offer and it’s not enough? You have in your heart that you do not want this life anymore ? And he kept saying just exactly what I needed to hear. He said life is truly only found in ONE…and HIS NAME IS JESUS CHRIST . He taught what JESUS had done for me so that I could have life. True life. Because the reason I was miserable was I had never really ever even had life. Not True life. That is found only in ONE…and HE IS LIFE ! I learned the TRUTH that morning and as they Bible says …THE TRUTH will set you free !!! And it did !!! Suddenly after accepting THE TRUTH of how much HE loved me and had paid for me !!! And was willing to take all of this nasty sin and heaviness off of me and HE’S The only one who could. Oh my Goodness!!! I became a thousand million pounds lighter. I accepted HIS Love , Forgiveness , Mercy !!!

    And asked HIM to come live in my heart and be my LORD and Savior. And HE did !!! Yall I came Alive on the inside for the very first time ever ever ever !!! I was soooo happy and free!!!

    I wanted to tell everyone and I did. And the preacher told me I needed to tell others. I was free !!!

    Did I become perfect? No .. I’m still not. But as I’ve let HIM HE has and is still working on me. And the more I let HIM do that the Happier and Freer I become. It’s been going on what 35 years !!! I’ve messed up. But HE has never ever left me , even when other’s thought he had because of the trap the devil set for me that I freely fell into. But JESUS was with me through it all !!!

    Some think HE can’t be with you when you sin..yet they sin and HE hasn’t left them.
    I’ve sadly put it to the test and always been quick to repent. HE knows, they don’t.
    So I have a Person who saved my life, or I would not be here today. I would not just have been dead… but in hell. The devil had me deceived into thinking if I end it all the pain would be gone. Well that was a lie for sure. The pain would have just begun and there would never have been an end. I almost fell into that trap. But JESUS RESCUED ME. And I’m forever rescued !!! HE is my life ♥️ ❤️ 💓 Now and all through eternity!!! I’ve since introduced HIM to others as they have let me.

    I love to introduce you to HIM if you have not truly ever met HIM.

    HE LOVES US ALL !!!

    And because of HIS great love I love you too. ❤️🙏🏽❤️🙏🏽❤️🙏🏽

    – S. (From Virginia, USA)

    Text design featuring the word 'Prayer' with a cross symbol above it on a light blue background.

  • Christians Can Experience a Cushion of Peace

    I remember reading about what is called “the cushion of the sea.” The ocean surface is often greatly agitated, but as you descend, the water becomes increasingly calm. At its greatest depths the ocean is virtually still. Oceanographers dredging ocean bottoms have found animal and plant remains that appear to have been undisturbed for hundreds of years.

    Similarly, Christians can experience a cushion of peace in their souls regardless of their troubled surroundings. That’s because they belong to God, who is the source of peace; serve Christ, who is the Prince of Peace; and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, who is the agent of peace. Galatians 5:22 says, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, [and] peace.” When you become a Christian, God grants you the gift of peace.

    – From John MacArthur’s daily devotional via a good friend and Brother in Christ

  • Prayer Heals! Recent story of an ear problem healed!

    When it comes to healing, God has provided an endless supply for those who ask. Sometimes healing comes instantaneously and other times we have to wait .

    As an as an evangelist traveling for over 25 years. There are endless stories that I could share where I saw God do incredible things. When it comes to healing, we have to trust God to do it his way, often in the waiting people get discouraged and give up, then wondering why God never healed them. We must trust the process and allow him to do what he does best.

    A recent story of healing and one that was so gratifying was a dear sister in my church. She had been suffering for a few months with one of her ears being stopped up the doctors tried everything drops procedures, antibiotics nothing seemed to help then she found herself getting worse as the other ear was beginning to close off as well. With her hearing fading, she become very discouraged and almost out of faith, but that Sunday morning The Lord impressed upon me to go over and lay my hands on her ears and command them to open in his name so I obeyed. I laid my hands on her ears, prayed that God would open them. I went back to my seat because I know that I’m not the healer. Later in the service she reached over excitedly and said, “my ears just popped open. I can hear better now than I did before this started.”That was probably a month ago and today her ears are still open!

    If you trust God and believe in him, the miracles that he can perform are endless never give up just keep holding on and you too will see Him move in your life.

    – Dr. Shelia Isom (Virginia, USA)

    http://www.drsisom.org


    Promotional graphic for the Echo Podcast featuring Dr. Shelia Isom, with the tagline 'A weekly pause for the word in your busy life' and social media icons for Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

  • My two youngest got Baptized Sunday

    My two youngest, of my four kids, got Baptized this past Sunday. It was a beautiful day with close family and friends being so supportive and loving. I’m so proud of them for making this decision on their own like I did as a kid.

    Leading up to the Baptisms was a tuff week. I felt like I was being attacked all week from a few people and issues that weren’t from me. The night before and early morning hours of the Baptisms I was having unsettling dreams that seemed to be from the guy downstairs so I prayed to The Man Upstairs, my God, for safety and protection of my kids, all of them, and all of my family because it was a dark attack I was feeling for days. I prayed for my two youngest to make it to their Baptisms and stay safe. Without going into detail these attacks were something I haven’t felt so intense before and it’s been happening for weeks. So many things that could go wrong did go wrong or at least tried too. So many people tried to take the wind out of my sails but it didn’t happen…with prayer and Faith I was able to overcome these attacks.

    I’m not an alarmist or some supernatural strange believer but I know what I was feeling and it was not good, it wasn’t light… it was darkness. Prayer was and is my go-to and this past week it gave me strength and peace in times of some very uncomfortable situations.

    I told my wife about this the morning of the Baptisms and she prayed for us all too. I didn’t want to say anything all week because I didn’t want to alarm her. I’m so very lucky to have such a wonderful wife who is equally yoked with me.