The Lost Ones

Luke 15:4–7 NIV

“Suppose one of you has 100 sheep, but one of them gets lost. What will you do? You will leave the other 99 sheep there in the field and go out and look for the lost sheep. You will continue to search for it until you find it. [5] And when you find it, you will be very happy. You will carry it [6] home, go to your friends and neighbors and say to them, ‘Be happy with me because I found my lost sheep!’ [7] In the same way, I tell you, heaven is a happy place when one sinner decides to change. There is more joy for that one sinner than for 99 good people who don’t need to change.

I posted a prayer request on social media for a Church Member and fellow deacon who was rushed to the hospital Saturday night with a serious heart issue. Sometimes I share prayer requests on social media without naming the person, to allow them there privacy.

But one person’s responses left me shaking my head.

The first thing this particular keyboard asked, was who this person voted for, which left me shaking my head. I don’t ask a persons political affiliations before I pray for them, if someone reaches out with a need, I simply pray. And then this particular person goes on about how believing in prayer is the same as believing in fairytales! Again I was left shaking my head, because I have seen the power of prayer at work in my life, and those around me!

I could have fed into the anger starting to boil inside of me, the confusion, but instead I was reminded of how he doesn’t want a lost soul, and was reminded that even those that don’t know they are lost, can still be found, and we can be that light, that leads them.

~~~

2 Corinthians 13:8-10

8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored. 10 This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority – the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.

Our Church has been tested over the last year or so, so prayer requests are a common social media post for me. Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, it doesn’t matter, these places aren’t just for mindless scrolling.

In October I was there for one of my best friends and Church member who lost her Mother, and I was there for her as she reached out to me, needing a friend, but more than that needing prayer. When our new Pastor barely got to preach two sermons before he was diagnosed with lung cancer, and had to stay away from crowds due to the treatments. And I was there to once again watch the retired pastor and his wife step up once again.

But what if I prayed based on who they voted for? What if I refused to pray for someone simply because of their political views? If I had done that, I would not only be ignoring the command to pray for one another, but I would be going against everything I believe in.

Jesus told us not to ignore the lost, the hurting, or the sick. We are to pray for one another, but we are also called to pray for the lost sheep.

A shepherd leaves the ninety nine to go search for a single sheep!

How far do you think Christ would go to search for a single soul?

He doesn’t want his sheep lost, he wants us all part of his flock!

Funny how the Lord can use a negative social media response as a powerful reminder to pray.

Copyright Michelle R Kidwell

February.12.2025