Where does your ship make berth? Where do you hang your hat and lay your head at night? Where do you receive your mail? No matter where your ship docks, it’s just one minuscule spot on the world map. A tiny speck of sand on the seashore of life.
Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the LORD called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name (Isaiah 49:1 NIV).
This verse reminds us that we live in a big world. Yet, most of the time we seem to forget about any country other than our own. This is so wrong. We need to make an effort to think about and pray for other countries and the people in them. God created us all; and no matter where we live, we have a purpose—nay, we have a responsibility—to be unselfish with our prayers.
For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him (Colossians 1:16 NIV).
It is so easy just to shut yourself up in your own little cocoon. Never to concern yourself with anyone outside your own family or town. I can understand this, because I’ve been there before.
Watching the news had become very depressing to me, so I tended to avoid it when I could. But then God showed me how selfish I was being. He opened my eyes to the fact that there were people all over the world who needed to be in my prayers, that I needed to be more giving in my prayer life and not focus on just what and who are around me. So, now I keep up on world events. I consider it my duty to watch and pray for the plight and salvation of this world. And even though my main focus is on my own family, town and country, I make sure I do not forget the rest of the world.
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2 NIV).
It takes only a few minutes a day to pray for this world. So, each day, even though it is very important to focus on your own “port,” try to make sure you send up a prayer for the rest of the world.
Debbie Mitchell