The Bigger Picture

I often find that when I pray I pray for myself.  I pray that I will be a better wife, mother, friend, employee.  I pray that I will find joy and happiness.  I pray that I will find success and defeat the fear that holds me back in life.  I pray that I will be adventurous, disciplined and focused.  That's ok, but there is a bigger picture.


I pray that I will be a beacon for others, that they will see God in me.  I pray that words I speak will reflect His love (often falling short), and that I will have compassion for others.  I pray that I will see others as God sees them, and I will love them as He does.  I pray that my study and understanding of Gods word will grow deeper and deeper.  I pray that I will understand what few others do; that others will see me as wise.  That's ok, but there is a bigger picture.

I pray for my family.  That my husband will find peace of mind, security and success.  I pray that he will defeat the demons that seem to plague him day after day.  I pray that he will draw closer to God and come to know that peace that comes from a close relationship with Him.  I pray that he will find happiness and joy in his life.   That's ok, but there is a bigger picture.

I pray that my son will come to know peace and joy.  I pray that he will have continued success.  I pray that he find his way back to Christ.  That he will one day, recall the peace and blessings bestowed upon those who follow Christ.  I pray that he will learn to love with all his heart, and that he will not be afraid of being hurt so deeply that he actually thinks his heart is breaking; for this is where true love and happiness are to be found.  I pray that he will remember the importance of family and treasure the gift.  That's ok, but there is a bigger picture.

I pray for other family members.  For dreams to be realized, challenges to be overcome and goals reached.  I pray for those who need comfort, to have it.  I pray that they all have love and peace, success and happiness.  I pray that they will be drawn into Gods family, especially those who  have been away for so long that they have forgotten what it feels like to know God loves them.  That's ok, but there is a bigger picture.

Every once in a while, I pray for others-for those I don't know.  I pray that the world will come to see how far we have strayed from Gods will.  I pray that the world will see how cruel we, as humans, can be to each other.  I pray that those who are starving in the world, find food and know the comfort of a full belly.  I pray that those who live with disease and death daily, will have the peace of knowing their children are safe, if even for a night.  I pray that the lonely will find companionship, that those who feel hopeless will know true hope and happiness.  I pray that those who are ill, will find health.  This is part of the bigger picture.

I pray that those who know hate, will find their hearts overwhelmed with love.  I pray that those who lead wars, will see the devastation they are creating, and choose to create something better.  I pray that those who are victims of war, hate and violence, will not hold on to fear, anger or hatred, but will be courageous enough to love their aggressors and find forgiveness.  I pray that we will come together to overcome evil, to do good and to bring Gods will to all the world.  That is the bigger picture.

God calls us to love others, to do his will and to preach his word to the world.  I am guilty of becoming selfish and losing focus on the bigger picture.  I am just one person, but in Gods eyes, I am one very important person who can make a difference.  We all are.  Each of us is a part of Gods greater plan, we just need to quiet our hearts and listen.  We need to get our focus off of ourselves and onto God.

When we are on our knees, looking heavenward-that is when we see the bigger picture.