Bless Everyone

Bless Everyone

Nehemiah 1:4-11

“God bless everyone. Amen,” Carly prayed. She opened her eyes and saw a slight frown on her mother’s face.

“What do you mean by ‘God bless everyone’?” asked Mom. “Exactly who is everyone?”

“Well,” said Carly, “I mean Grandma, Scott, my friends, my Sunday school teacher, the missionaries—everyone.”

“What do you want God to do for them?” Mom asked.

“Bless them,” Carly said. “You know—Grandma needs help with her eyes, and Scott’s having trouble sleeping. Those kinds of things.”

“Then why not tell those things to God?” persisted Mom.

Carly shrugged. “I don’t know,” she said. “I guess it’s easier to say, ‘Bless everyone.’ God knows what I mean.”

That afternoon Carly and her mother went shopping. “Would you please show my daughter something to wear?” Mom asked a clerk.

“A coat?” asked the clerk. “Jeans? Tops?”

“Just something to wear,” Mom answered.

“I need a red sweater,” Carly said quickly, “and I need a pair of jeans.” She told the clerk what size she needed, and soon she was busy in the fitting room.

“Why did you do that?” Carly asked as she tried on the clothes. “That was so embarrassing! Why didn’t you say what I needed?”

“It was so much quicker and easier not to go into detail,” Mom answered. Carly looked at her suspiciously. “I thought you knew that,” added Mom. Carly still looked puzzled, so Mom explained. “I’m thinking of your quick ‘God bless everyone’ prayers,” she said, handing Carly another sweater to try on. “I wanted you to see how important complete communication is. Take your time when you talk to God, being specific about who you’re praying for as well as listing their needs. That will also help you know when the specific prayers are answered.” NEK

How about You?

When you talk to God, are you specific, or do you hurry through your prayers? Take time to communicate. It’s true that God knows what you need before you ask, but he wants you to talk with him, telling him all about your needs as well as your blessings.

Memorize:

“Pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Philippians 4:6

Pray with Specific Requests