Praying for Others

One of the greatest ministries available to the church is the ministry of intercession. It is a ministry in which everyone can participate. It doesn’t require a seminary education or Bible college degree.

By following Paul’s example in Ephesians 3, we can learn to pray with power and purpose. When you pray for others, especially your children or grandchildren, pray for ...

God’s Unfailing Purpose for Them

v. 11 – “... according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

God’s Unfading Provision for Them

v. 16 – “I pray that out of his glorious riches ...”

God’s Unrivaled Presence in Them

v. 17 – “... so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith ... that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

God’s Unlimited Possibilities for Them

v. 20 – “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us ...”

God’s Unceasing Praise through Them

v. 21 – “... to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

The Touch of the Master's Hand

It's an old poem with a message that never grows old ...

It was battered and scarred
And the auctioneer thought it
Hardly worth his while
To waste his time on the old violin
But he held it up with a smile.

"What am I bid, good people?" He cried,
"Who starts the bidding for me?"
"One dollar, one dollar, Do I hear two?"
"Two dollars, who makes it three?"
"Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three"

But, no,
From the room far back a grey haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow
Then wiping the dust from the old violin
And tightening up the strings
He played a melody, pure and sweet
As sweet as the angel sings.

The music ceased and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet and low
Said "What now am I bid for this old violin?"
As he held it aloft with its' bow.

"One thousand, one thousand
Do I hear two?" "
Two thousand, Who makes it three?"
"Three thousand once, three thousand twice
Going and gone", said he.

The audience cheered,
But some of them cried, "We just don't understand."
"What changed its' worth?"
Swift came the reply. "The Touch of the Masters Hand."

And many a man with life out of tune
All battered and scarred by sin
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd
Much like that old violin.

A mess of pottage, a glass of wine
A game and he travels on.
He is going once, he is going twice
He is going and almost gone.

But the Master comes
And the foolish crowd never can quite understand
The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought
By the Touch of the Master's Hand.

Written by: Myra Brooks Welch