We usually we get an unenthusiastic, “Okay,” or a shrug when we order water to drink. Hanna said, “Great! I will be right back with your water and be ready to take your order for dinner.” She had an engaging and bubbly personality as our waitress. When she brought our meals out I told her we were going to bless the food and asked her if there was anything we could pray about for her. Hanna’s countenance changed. She looked up and down the row of tables, moved closer to us and whispered, “My husband is in jail. Would you please pray that he would get out soon?” My bride and I each reached for a hand and prayed for her and her husband in the name of Jesus the Christ. With tears in her eyes she thanked us and said no one had ever prayed for her like that before.
A dear friend introduced me to extending the blessing over food at a restaurant to prayer over the waiter or waitress. He and his wife were such wonderful prayer warriors that I was almost in tears the first time I experienced them praying for their waitress one evening. We continued to talk over dinner of how important it is for us to be the Church beyond the walls of the church. Praying with someone is a powerful way to touch them with the love of Christ and have a Kingdom influence in this noisy world.
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven. – Matthew 5:13-16. Be salt and light in this world. Salt is analogous to character grounded in scripture and prayer with discipline that is the Lord present in our lives. Light is our relationship with Jesus the Christ – “Whoever follows Me … will have the light of life.” (John 8:12). Are you salty? Do you have the light of life? Men tend to ‘do’ church well – We show up, listen to the preacher, go home and sometimes volunteer as needed. That is religion not relationship. Jesus expects us to be salt and light in this world. Praying for someone is a good start at passing the salt - ‘being’ the Church and having a Kingdom Influence where He has us.
This Holy Week we will be reflecting on the Last Supper; hearing of Jesus’ journey from Gethsemane to being arrested and succumbing to crucifixion; and we will be celebrating Him walking out of the tomb that first Easter morning. He has empowered us through His resurrection and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to be Kingdom influencers in this world, to pass the salt and be the Church. Prayer is a good start – pray with and for those in your immediate family and extend your prayer reach to unsuspecting folks like a waitress or others you run into on your daily journey.
Prayer guide: Thank You Jesus for being obedient all the way to the point of death, even death on a cross. Thank You for walking out of the tomb that first Easter morning; for appearing to the disciples and then the many; for ascending to Your Father; and for sending the Counselor, the Holy Spirit. Grant me boldness in the power of Your resurrection and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to be a Kingdom influence in this world. Help me love as You loved on this earth, pray as You prayed, and share the good news of You at every opportunity by Your grace and for Your glory. Amen.
A faithful father passes the salt as a Kingdom influence in his home and beyond.
