Instruments of Grace: Why God Chose the Body to Answer Prayer
We often pray for "breakthroughs." We envision the heavens parting, a direct hand reaching down, or a sudden, miraculous windfall. And while God is absolutely capable of the spectacular, I’ve realized that He usually prefers a different method.
He works through the Body.
A Short Walk and a Long Realization
The other morning, I decided to hop out of the car a few blocks away from my office. It was a small sacrifice to help my wife get a head start on her commute. It was only a few hundred meters—nothing I couldn't handle—but as I started walking, a colleague and friend pulled up beside me.
"Jump in," he said.
It was a short ride, and truthfully, I didn't need the lift. But as he dropped me off right at the front door, it hit me: This is how God works. I didn't ask for a ride, but God provided one through the simple, attentive kindness of a friend. In that moment, my colleague wasn’t just a coworker; he was the hands and feet of Jesus.
We Are the Answer to Someone’s Prayer
We often treat the "Body of Christ" as a theological term, but it is a functional reality. When we pray for provision, comfort, or help, God’s primary "delivery system" is us.
"Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular." — 1 Corinthians 12:27
If we are the members (and I mean truly active MEMBERS) of His body, then we are the instruments He uses to answer prayers. This changes how we view our daily lives:
- As Givers: Being a blessing isn't just a "nice" thing to do; it is our duty. It is how we express our affection for God. When you feel a nudge to help, you might be the very answer someone else has been crying out for.
- As Receivers: Sometimes the hardest part is letting the Body care for us. When we accept help, we aren't being a burden; we are allowing God to work through His established design.
Our Responsibility: Yielding to the Lead
God is looking for a Body that is "in sync" with the Head. If we want to see more "miracles" in our communities, we have to be willing to be the hands that perform them.
Let’s stop waiting for the sky to open and start looking for the person walking down the street. Let’s yield to His leading and be the reflection of His love. Whether it’s a ride down the block or a life-changing gift, let’s be the means through which God answers the world.
Will you be the answer to someone’s prayer today?
