Prayer/Being a Comforter

PRAYER

Here is some good Scripture about prayer:
Psalm 34:9-10  There is no want to those who fear Him.  The young lions lack and suffer hunger; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.
Luke 11:10 He who seeks finds.
Psalm 40:16 Look up at the Lord with gladness and smile. (NAB)
Psalm 62:8 Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.
This last verse is particularly encouraging to me, because it tells me that instead of just praying through a prayer list, I can ask the Lord to put the important things on my heart, and then I can pour out my heart to Him.


BEING A COMFORTER

Empathy, gentleness, compassion, and comforting others are not my strengths.  My apologies to any of you who have suffered as a result of these character flaws of mine.  I was feeling bad about this, and the Lord brought this verse to mind:  "If there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy..." Philippians 2:1.  There is consolation and comfort in Christ, and Christ lives in His people; so then I must conclude that He has made me a comforter.  All I need to do is learn from Him how to be who He's already made me.  This is true for all character qualities:  we who are in Christ are Christlike in our spirits.  We just need to grow into the loving people we already are.
"For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified"  Hebrews 10:14.  I pray that we will keep this truth in mind and be blessed by it.