Just do it

I've often wondered...
There are times when I feel compelled to pray for someone, or to send a short encouraging note.
Sometimes I heed that feeling, and other times (particularly when I'm busy), I simply brush it aside.

Lately, I've been trying to be more mindful of those times, and take the few seconds to pray, or the few minutes to write. It's not like it's particularly taxing, and I always wonder why they came to mind.

Sometimes, I'll hear later of something that was going on in their lives, and remember that I prayed for them, not even aware of what was going on. Other times, I'll have sent a note, and find out later that they had been really struggling, and that the Lord used the note I sent to encourage them amid the struggle.

Sometimes, I'll hear things like that.
Other times, I'll simply heed the impulse to pray or send a short note, and never hear anything from the person about it.

But, really... I'm not praying or writing so I'll hear back from them & get those great affirming words from people. I'm not doing it for the pat on the back or the "you're so sensitive to the Lord's leading," or anything of the sort.

I'm doing it because I'm learning (slowly, gradually) that I need to listen to the Lord when He leads. Is it based on "feelings"? Really, no. If someone comes to mind, and I think I ought to pray for them, I pray. Was it God bringing them to mind? I would say yes, because He can bring thoughts to our minds to accomplish His purposes. If my desire is to live for Him, and to show who He is to others (Believers & unbelievers alike), that will translate to actions.

God uses His children to reach out to and encourage others. It's part of the purpose of the Church. We are to learn right doctrine, we are to teach others, we are to glorify God. And... we are to reach out to others. Sometimes with a prayer or a note, other times, in more tangible ways. It's not so much what we do, but whether we are willing to act.

So, when someone comes to mind, pray. And perhaps, God will direct you to do something for them too. *shrug* One never can know what God will do :-)

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
James 2:14-17