Make me an instrument of your grace, truth and justice. Taken from the Prayer Covenant for Women comes the story of Anuja Lal, a dear friend and ministry partner for over 25 years. It’s been an incredible blessing to watch their ministry unfold over the decades.
The Influence of Christ in a Ministry
She wrote,
As I worked with Campus Crusade for more than fifteen years, I discipled the influencers of society. But after visiting a slum in New Delhi, Jesus was calling me to minister to the least of these.
It began with my visit to the slum where I saw the destitute before my very eyes. Children were playing on the garbage piles with no food, no clothes and no hope. To them it was simply their unfortunate destiny.
My heart was broken. I began to pray and ask God to show me how I could make a difference in their lives without resources or expertise. While praying, God gave us the vision to work with the children of the garbage collectors. We rented a small room in that slum and began with fifteen kids. We taught them hygiene, gave them nutritious meals, medical aid and a basic education for a period of two years.
After that time, we helped them get the proper papers needed to gain admission into the government (public) school. At the same time, we started tutoring centers throughout North India. Today we have one hundred-thirty centers where more than 4,000 children come for two hours to receive a good education and experience God’s love.
We may not all have the opportunity to make such a profound impact in our nation, but what might God be calling you to do in your community? Intentionally ask Him and listen for His response.
A Prayer for God’s Calling
I love this prayer taken from the ninth edition of the Book of Common Prayer According to the Use in King’s Chapel, 1986:
God be in my head and in my understanding; God be in my eyes and in my looking;
God be in my mouth and in my speaking; God be in my heart and in my thinking;
God be at my end and at my departing.
God was in Anuja’s eyes when she looked upon the slum and saw what Jesus saw. God was in her mouth has she began to share the vision among church leaders and donors. God was in her heart and thinking as she laid plans, hired tutors and set up the non-formal education centers to minister to the least of these.
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn (Psalm 37:5-6).
