40 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2006 - Day 6

Focus: Whatever You Do for the Least of These
By Coralie Payne, Anastasis

Scripture Reference:

Who despises the day of small things? (Zephaniah 4:10).

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and the angels with him, He will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. Then the king will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. (Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we?” The king will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:31; 34-37a, 40).

Devotional:

Do you ever feel that what you do is of little importance? Are you often comparing your gifts to those of others? Coming to work on the Anastasis has underlined again for me how valuable everybody in this large team is. Perhaps it is more obvious here than in a less confined environment!

There are times for some of us though, when our work, perhaps more routine and mundane, can seem of less worth in helping God’s kingdom to come. Our work may or may not produce dramatic results, transform someone’s life, teach or train another thereby enabling that person to move to new achievements.

The prophet Zephaniah pops this little question in his rather difficult prophecies, “Who despises the day of small things”? Our Lord often emphasized how important it is to be faithful in small things; for example with stories about faithful servants, about wise bridesmaids, and the passage quoted above from Matthew’s gospel.

Brother Lawrence, a monk in the middle ages, had a sign by the sink in the monastery, “Divine service held here three times daily”. I believe Mrs. Ruth Graham had a similar sign. So may we all be encouraged during these days of prayer and fasting; that in everything we do, it can bring glory to God, and all our work and worship done according to his will, is hastening the coming of his kingdom on the earth.

Prayer Points:

* Thank God for your gifts and the work you do for Him.

* Pray that the anointing He gives for our work will bring glory only to Him.

* Pray for those you know who feel less significant; ask God for guidance in how to encourage them.