GIVE ME SOMEONE

I recently discovered a prayer that really touched my heart. Simple, but extremely deep. While researching about its origin, I came across an article about a man of faith who was depressed because he had let his family down. As the months went by, he isolated himself more and more and got seriously depressed. His wife, who had recently read this prayer, decided to confront him. As a last resort, she asked him to continue giving his regular talks to the community and to go out and serve others. According to the story, that was the beginning of his physical and spiritual restoration.

The prayer is called "Give Me Someone":

Lord,

When I am famished, give me someone who needs food;

When I am thirsty, give me someone who needs water;

When I am cold, give me someone to warm;

When I am hurting, give me someone to console;

When my cross becomes heavy, give me another’s cross to share;

When I am poor, lead someone needy to me;

When I have no time, give me someone to help for a moment;

When I am humiliated, give me someone to praise;

When I am discouraged, send me someone to encourage;

When I need another’s understanding, give me someone who needs mine;

When I need somebody to take care of me, send me someone to care for;

When I think of myself, turn my thoughts toward another.

Author unknown

Helping others, while we are suffering, sounds contradictory. However, it seems to be a secret balm that heals our wounds. Maybe God planned it that way to help us to love one another.

Look at this illustration: A man had a dream about heaven and hell. In the dream, he saw a large rectangular table with all kinds of delicious delicacies. He saw the same table both in heaven and in hell. Around the table the guests had giant forks in their hands. However, both scenes were very different. The difference was that in heaven people looked radiant and healthy; while, in hell, they looked malnourished and about to die. Suddenly, a voice explained him what was happening. In heaven, people used the giant forks to feed one another; whereas, in hell, people focused only on feeding themselves, which was impossible with the giant forks.

This is just an illustration, but it clearly shows that the key is to lose focus on ourselves.

May this prayer ignite in us the passion to serve and encourage whoever is by our side. If we feel that we can't find anyone, then let’s ask God to "give us someone". He surely will.

"No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another,

God remains in us, and His love is perfected in us."

1 John 4:12

© Astrid Gale

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