“It’s easier to fight for one’s principles,” said Alfred Adler, “than to live up to them.” How true. It’s also easier to talk about losing weight, to think about changing my ways, and to sing about love—than to do these things. But for all who want to do more than talk, there will never be a lack of opportunities especially for all who want to serve God and be a part of his plan.

Jesus started Christianity with twelve ordinary men, was with them for three years, then left the task of spreading the gospel to them. As with Gideon and his tiny band of 300 “warriors,” God seems to work more often than not through individuals and small groups.

He’ll work through you and me and our small groups, too, if we truly want him to. The wonderful thing is that God uses ordinary men and women to do extraordinary things—when they make themselves available to him and ask him to use them as a part of what he is doing in the world today.

Every day I like to pray, “Lord, I’m available again today. Please make me usable and use me to be a part of what you are doing in today’s world. Please help me to be ‘as Christ’ to every life I touch. Today! Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’ name, amen.”

This is today’s suggested prayer. Can I encourage you to print it out and pray it every day too?

1. Judges 7:4 (NIV).