Quit Ignoring God

I have to confess…

I’ve been super selfish.

As I’ve been trying to grow closer to Christ,
He has awakened something in me.

An awareness of people who are hurting.

Strangers. Friends.
People quietly aching and needing encouragement.

Needing life spoken over them.
Needing prayer.

So I started praying something different:
“God, burden me with what burdens You.”

And almost daily, He has sent people my way who are facing real problems and feel like they have no hope.

Here’s the truth

If you are fixated on yourself and your list of problems, you will miss the hundreds of people you pass every single day who are just like you.

In need of a kind word.
Encouragement. Even a hug.

You have to SLOW DOWN!

Yesterday, Alex and I were leaving the gym when a woman named Gloria walked in.

We started talking.
She asked about our lives and work.
Then we listened to hers.

She shared that just before coming in, she had prayed that God would send someone to encourage her and remind her she was on the right path.

And she ran into two strangers who had prayed to be used.

Alex and I prayed intentionally over her.

We encouraged her.
We spoke life over her.

And now a believer who was going through a rough time believes even more that God is with her.

I’m writing this because I don’t want you to keep making the same mistake I made for 24 years of my life.

Head down.
Focused on me…
Thinking I was never the person that could pray over people.

Here’s the challenge.

Pray intentionally:

“God, awaken my heart and mind to see the hurt others are carrying. Burden me with what burdens you. Break my heart for what breaks yours. Send people my way who need love and comfort. Use me, Lord.”

Then when you go out…
Get off your phone.

Look up.
Look at people’s faces.
Be watchful.

You will start noticing how people carry themselves. Many are carrying burdens that were never meant for them to carry.

You can see it if you are paying attention.
Commit to praying for one person each day or each week.

At the store.
At school.
Anywhere you frequent.

Walk up to someone and say:
“I’m challenging myself to pray for one person each day.
Can I pray for you?”

Then ask what’s going on in their life. What are they facing?

Yes, it can feel uncomfortable.
But this gets so much easier as your personal prayer life gets deeper.

You must practice both times.
In the secret place with the Lord and prayer for others.

As you pray alone, He will shape your heart to notice those who desperately need His presence and the reminder that He sees them in their darkest season.

Now maybe you’re thinking:
“How can I encourage others when I’m going through pain, loss, or heartbreak myself?”

My friend, that is part of what it means to be a believer.

• We are called to pray healing for others even when we aren’t whole.

• To celebrate others when our lives feel marked by loss.

• To bless others when we don’t feel blessed.

And you will find that as you pray for others, especially when you are not doing well, life becomes more meaningful.

You begin to see blessings you were blind to before.
If you take this seriously, do not let it be a one day thing.

Make it a rhythm.

What This Meant to You?

Before you move on…
If you actually do this, tell me how it went.
(please do it, God is counting on you)

• Did you feel God moving?

• Did someone open up?

• Did you pray over them?

And if you need more boldness or even practical words to say when approaching someone, tell me that too.

I don’t want this to be an email you read and forget.

Reply and let me know what happened.
Or share any testimony you have with me!
I would love to hear some!

I read every reply.
And I respond.

Live Your Faith Out Loud

This email isn’t just a thought.
It’s the heartbeat behind Faith Drives.

Faith that fuels purpose.
Purpose that drives action.

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FLY WITH CHRIST

I love you,
Connor
Founder, Faith Drives