Hands up!
Jesus always believed the best about people, saw them as they truly were and as they could be. He knew what they were capable of and encouraged them to become all that they were created to be.
I struggle with believing the best in people. I allow disappointments, wrong expectations and my own opinions skew my view. One day at church during worship, as hands were raised during a song, I thought about how much more I focus on the worship involved when I raise my hands and it made me think about my prayer posture as well.
When I’m fully committed to singing a worship song from my heart, I raise my hands and sing for an audience of One. If I’m not fully tuned in to the song my mind will wander and my hands will remain still. It’s the same with my prayers. If I’m fully committed, my hands are raise to God and He is the only one in the room in my mind, even if it’s a full sanctuary.
Being fully committed to praying for someone means that I want the best for them, God’s best for them. It puts all other distractions aside and fully focuses on that person. It’s an “All In…Hands Up!” moment. In 1 Corinthians 13:7 (AMP) it says, “Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening].
That is a wonderful and challenging verse. I want to do all those things but at times I find it difficult and other times I just don’t want to do it. In those moments I found a way to remember a few truths that will help me to believe the best in a person…..put your hands up!
Think of that person as your hand. Now look at each finger starting with your thumb and say the following:
- Thumbs up – God Created that person – God Created them and it was good; they are beautifully and wonderfully made
- Pointer finger – God loves that person
- Middle finger – Jesus is the center of everything – He died for that person and forgives them
- Ring finger – That person needs a relationship with Christ
- Pinky finger – my little part in God’s plan – to let them know all of this and pray for them! With my whole hand raised up in prayer and agreement to all of this.
I pray that I will remember this and use this. Anytime someone hurts me, disappoints me or pushes my buttons, I want to give them “Hands Up!” It’s like giving it to God and letting Him correct my heart and attitude at the same time reminding me that He loves that person and wants the best for them too.
My sincere prayer for them, when my heart is right, is that they will know their value in Christ and that they are unconditionally loved. That they will accept the sacrifice Jesus made for them and will choose to have a relationship with Him and that they in turn will pray for others to know the same.
Just like me – people prayed this for me and now I get to pray it for others.
My Prayer
Father, I thank you for the reminders you give me in such creative ways. I do want to be more like you and help others see what a life lived with You can be like. Help me to love others especially when I don’t feel like it and to be mindful of your truth about them. To see them through Your eyes, knowing you created them with purpose and love. Refine me Lord. Amen
Where does my help come from?
Genesis 1:31
“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. “
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
1 Thessalonians 5: 17
“pray continually”