There was a young man who loved his father. His father was very sick and was confined to a wheelchair. Son used to take him around, care for him and regularly visit hospital. After few months father became very sick and was treated in the hospital. Someone suggested that there is a church nearby, who pray for the sick. Getting permission from doctors and nurses in the hospital, he took his father to the church. At the end of service, pastor acknowledged the presence of the father and son. Pastor listening to their plea, requested the whole congregation to circle the duo and pray. All raised their voices and earnestly prayed with tears. Son was shocked to see so many unknown people praying for his father that too with tears. After few days father died, but son could not forget his experience in the church. He went there to know the reason for their ‘love and concern’ and received Lord Jesus Christ. Later he became a pastor in Kolkata, India.
Loving your neighbor as yourself’ is the royal law. Neighbour could be a marginalized, bruised, injured, lying helpless, rejected, humiliated in a danger zone as Good Samaritan saw. (Luke 10:25-37) One of the first and best ways is to be concerned about those perishing and praying for them. “My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law.” (Psalms 119:36)
Weeping prophet Jeremiah says: “Oh that my head were waters, and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!” (Jeremiah 9:1) Nehemiah also has a similar concern: “As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.” (Nehemiah 1:4)
Do I have similar kind of concern, love and prayers for the lost.