One thing I'm still learning to do is not being judgemental.
You don't owe anybody anything? Common that's not true; we owe everyone a word of prayer.
Remember the prodigal son? (Luke 15:11-32). He was stubborn, rude, not likeable for all the ugly things he had done. No parent or individual will be pleased with whomsoever that waste their wealth especially when this wealth wasn't easy to come by yet this was exactly what the prodigal son did. He squandered everything.
Let's look at this story from this angle.
I believe his father must have been very hurt and sad like most of our parents would have been, but I also believe his father has interceded for him even though he wasn't pleased with this younger son of his.
It's always hard for parents to give up on their children most especially the wayward ones. I'm speaking from experience 😁.
So my grandma has this child ( one of my uncles) that is always a source of concern. Even when everybody gave up on him my grandma still believed in miracles. I remember on this particular day my dad was like, why are women like this self? And he was even asking me, what do I know?😂😂😂
That aside.
I also believe his father's intercessions (prayers) had a thing to do with his sudden realization and repentance.
The father of this young man wasn't judgmental, he didn't give up on his son because of his wayward ways or because he had another son instead he made intercessions believing that one day his lost son will be found and that this son will become a new person. He was full of hope.
Someone might ask: how do you know he was interceding?
Luke 15:20-32: immediately his father saw him he had compassion, embraced and kissed him. He even went as far as throwing a feast and making the Elder brother understand why he did all of these things.
You see what praying for others can do. They don't necessarily need to be friends or family before you pray for them.
You see that person you're about to judge or conclude his/her case, pray for them instead of judging them. After gossiping go back and pray for them. 😀😀
Of a truth, we don't know or understand what others go through every day, we only understand the things we go through.
We don't know why they do the things they do, so instead of judging or giving up on them why not say a word of prayer concerning them? Why not be their unknown watchman and intercede for them even when they don't know you're praying for them?
One day they might just become like the prodigal son who came to realize the gravity of what he has done, who have decided to be repentant of their old ways and become part of God's army.
They're a lot of things that happens when we pray for others.
Who also remembers Job?
You see after Job got inflicted by the devil with God's permission, his friends came and told him to confess his sins. 3 out of 4 of them firmly believed his predicament was as a result of his numerous and hidden sins. They became judgemental and conclusive, they forgot the most important thing which was praying for their friend.
Just ask yourself if you were Job how would you feel being abandoned by bosom friends and family? Those you expected to add their faith to yours and intercede on your behalf are the very ones who're adding to your pains? How would you feel?
This thing also breeds Unforgiveness (topic for another day).
Those few minutes you'd use to judge, conclude and complain about someone who isn't living their lives right, why not use that time to intercede on their behave? Don't just talk about them, but talk about them to God telling Him to bring them back into His fold.
You've been called to be a watchman not just to your family alone but to every individual God has placed around you including your Facebook friends, Instagram and Twitter followers.
Someone's way to salvation might just be in you interceding for them.
You can do it.
Good bless you.
From yours truly;
Eze Ogechi.
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