Mother Teresa was known for her deep love for the poor and sick. In her lifetime she started an organization of hospitals and homes for people with HIV/AIDS and leprosy, orphanages and schools for thousands of children, as well as family counselling centres and more. By the end of her life her charity became a movement that brought tangible care and hope to those in need across 133 countries. She won a Nobel Peace Prize and the Pope has begun the process of having Mother Teresa recognized as a saint.
Mother Teresa’s love for those in need found its roots, its inspiration, and its longevity in something very small and simple: prayer. Mother Teresa once said, “If we pray, we will believe; if we believe, we will love; If we love, we will serve.” Her acts of service and her love started in prayer.
Jesus did not teach his followers a lot of things, he did not teach us how to run a non-profit, how to organize programs, or how to build facilities, deal with recessions, or fix the glitchy wifi. But Jesus did teach his followers how to pray. Prayer was Jesus’s starting place for everything he did. It was true for Jesus, true for Mother Teresa, and it may be true for you and me in Chestermere, today.
Praying for our city, our government leaders, and those work to keep our city operating well may be an important practice in your life. Praying for your neighbours and family may transform the way you see them, also. Praying is the practice of putting our lives and hopes and worries in the hands of God. It’s a small and simple act of listening to, and trusting in, God. It is a posture of gratitude, using our own words to thank God for everything. It can result in waiting or action, it can lead us to mend a broken relationship, or lead us to step into new ones. When we pray we invite God to be God in all of our circumstances.
Praying might be simple, but it’s not always easy. Slowing down, listening, and sharing our prayers with God may take time. Here are several ways that you may begin to pray for your neighbourhood this week:
1. Think of five families in Chestermere. Thank God for them.
2. Write a list of those who make decisions on behalf of our city, our Mayor and Council, city staff, our MLA and MP. Pray for them.
3. Ask God to show you where God is at work around you. Pay attention to what God may be showing you: businesses, schools, and events?
4. When you come across pain or sorrow in our city, or in the lives of your friends, ask God to bring peace. Peace is one of the greatest gifts that God can give to those who are hurting.
5. Walk through your neighbourhood and pray.
6. Ask someone how you can pray for them; you might be surprised at how grateful another person may be to know that you are.
However you pray, God is listening and cares deeply for your neighbourhood, city, and the people you know. Throughout the month of March, Lake Ridge Community Church is going to be praying for our city, for the people we meet each day. If you would like to get a copy of our simple prayer guide, please contact me at preston@lakeridgecommunity.com. If we pray, we will love.
