Good, Better, Best

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,Eph.3:20 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.Phil.2:13 This is the time of year when in boxes and mail boxes are FLOODED with pleas for donations leaving us wishing we could help them all! they are all worthy causes.The Red Cross seeks to touch our hearts with a packet of tangible gifts,right down to a personalized pen to sign and send; no excuses!! Today's Devotion in the book Streams in the Desertstruck me with the realization that to give is more thanthe licking of an envelope with 'gift enclosed'more than a few clicks on a keyboard after hitting'donate now' then forgetting as soon as we exit the page.Rather, monetary aid hopefully is the small part in themuch larger labor of praying for the causes to which we give! In my in box, just to name a few;The Canadian Bible Society seeks to bring thehope of the God's Word to those who do not have access to bibles.Focus on the Family seeks to minister in various ways to strengthen familiesin this troubled and confused age.Our local churches seek to minister in our own communities...and the list goes on!!Praying we all pray for guidance to know whereto do our part with a generous heart! To ‘do’ is a good startTo give is pleasing tooBut to pray is the vital partOf all we say and do For as we pray towardThe hope to which we liveWe will better honor the LordWith what we do and give To give is well and goodTo ‘do’ our part is fairBut to live and love like we shouldBegins and ends with prayer The good of love's kind questIs better every dayAs we are blessed with Mercy's bestBecause we pray and pray Then, what seems commonplaceTurns into worship whereExceedingly abundant graceWorks God's pleasure through prayer © Janet Martin We may not be able to help everyone but everyone can help someone,hopefully beginning with prayer and seeking to honour Godin all we give and do! Eph.6:18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.