ENLARGE YOUR HEART TO COVER THE WHOLE WORLD!

28th MAY 2023

“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” – I Timothy 2:1-5

Today, my heart goes to the 40 who were recently attacked and killed by terrorists in a catholic church in Nigeria in the course of worship.  It could have been anyone. Those who escaped death, are not better than those who died. However, in all things, we give thanks to God. But I tell you that these 40 have paid the price of martyrdom, and the church, indeed the entire world will remember these ones.

In addition to that, there is no gainsaying that the world is presently in tumultuous times; So much ongoing acrimony, bloodshed and attacks of ignorance perpetrated by the strong ones against the weak and the lowly. Attacks by bandits and terrorists are prevalent in African countries, especially in Nigeria.

How do you feel when calamity befalls people across the world? Do you feel for the families of the deceased? How do you feel when terrorists and warlords attack churches, homes, and communities and wipe out everyone like you commonly find in Nigeria or presently in Ukraine? Do you always yearn for God to be merciful to everyone, especially those directly involved?  Have you taken out time to think about the pain of the many new widows, widowers, and fatherless and motherless? You will agree with me that those are tragic experiences.

The world is a global village, and we are all citizens of the world, linked together by the Spirit of God. What touches one touches all. We have responsibilities toward making sure that our consciousness continues to find shelter in harmonium surroundings; We must ensure that the world is fit for habitation and growth. Caring for one another irrespective of Nationalities, faith or creed was Jesus’s delight. Hence the Master taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Paul is also saying to us today to pray for all men! We must pray also for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior. Therefore, it is your responsibility to ensure that not only is your neighbor good and fine, but that everyone in the world, including your kings, leaders, and those in authority are fine and good!  That is the only way you can join in the struggle to reduce all human-made risks and calamities capable of endangering life, especially human lives, and nature. 

 Nature has to be kept evergreen so we can eat well and breathe pure air. Without a balanced nature, the world may go into extinction. Henceforth, pray for the whole world; the travelers, the sick, the world’s leadership, schools, Armed forces, All government Agencies etc. If the world is safe, then you are safe!

 It is right to pray for a city and its residents whose lives have been ripped apart by a catastrophe, human-made or natural. God is moved when He sees us moved by the pain and suffering occurring around us, and not just by what is affecting our immediate circle of family and friends. If your neighbor and all humans are good and fine, then you are also good and fine. Your prayers and meditation for the whole world bounce back at you a million-fold, much more effective than praying for yourself.

Your true power over negativity and adverse situations is in your prayers for the entire world and not for yourself in particular. This is because every prayer you say comes back to you. If you pray for one million people, one million people’s prayers will come back to you.  If you pray for one billion people, one billion people’s prayers will come back to you, and so on.  Your prayers for others will go ahead of you to right every wrong aspect of your life; your business, relationships, family and generations! Praying for others is a sacrifice that does not fail.

PRAYER

Father in the name of Jesus Christ, I ask that your peace abides with the whole world today. Grant succor to all men who are currently suffering this day. Lord Jesus Christ, I ask that you cause your face to shine upon the wounded and those bruised by attacks of ignorance. Thank you, Father, for strengthening your children by the power of your grace. AMEN.

FURTHER READING:  Matthew 5:44-45