Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age. – Psalm 92:13-14
Sitting in a Sunday morning service a while back, I thought about how my role in the Gospel work has changed over the years. As I have grown older, I have had to give up some of the responsibilities I held in younger years, since I can no longer do them. For older Christians, it can be easy to feel worthless around the church, thinking we have little to offer as far as spreading the Gospel is concerned.
As I considered these matters during the meeting, it came into my mind that there actually is a very important role for older Christians: praying for the ones who fill in the gap as we retire from our active responsibilities. I am sure there were some veterans saints praying for my generation as we served in the Gospel work, and as they cross over into Glory, someone needs to take up that post.
The more I thought about it, the more I realized how great the need for prayer is. Some needs are obvious, such as those who are going through hard trials, those suffering from poor health, and those who come to church from time to time knowing nothing about the saving grace of Jesus. But there are also needs that are ongoing every day, like those who prepare church literature to be mailed around the world to hungry souls, and the Gospel efforts taking place in other countries. The ways in which God can use our prayers are endless!
The next time you feel that you do not have an important role in the Gospel work, think again! There is nothing more important than praying for the furtherance of the Gospel. No matter what our circumstances in life are, anyone who has the desire to take part in this important task can do so. Here is a simple way to start: whenever the name of someone you know comes to your mind, breathe a prayer for that one. You will be blessed if you do!