誰也沒想到佃農卓恩能有什麼作為，因為他的視力很差，而且還有其他方面的疾病。但他在無數個因疼痛而難以入睡的夜晚，竭力為他居住的挪威小村莊裡的每個家庭禱告。在禱告中，他會為每個家庭的成員逐個提名祈求，甚至包括那些素未謀面的孩子們。村民們都喜歡他溫和的性格，也會來尋求他明智的看法和建議。即使卓恩無法提供實際的幫助，人們在離開卓恩家的時候，都會因他的關懷而備受祝福。儘管在那個村莊裡，卓恩舉目無親，但在他離世時，人們為他舉辦了當地有史以來規模最大的的葬禮。他的禱告結出許多美好的果實，超乎他的想像。

謙卑的卓恩效法使徒保羅的榜樣。保羅愛他所服事的人，並在自己被囚期間為他們禱告。當保羅寫信給以弗所的信徒時，他應該是被監禁於羅馬，但他祈求上帝賜給這些信徒「智慧和啟示的靈」，並「照明」他們心中的眼睛（以弗所書1章17-18節）。保羅期望他們能認識耶穌，並透過聖靈的大能活出愛與合一。

卓恩和使徒保羅向上帝傾訴，藉著禱告將他們所愛的人、所服事的人交託給上帝。願我們能以他們為榜樣，想想今天要如何去關愛和服事他人。

They didn’t think Jørn, a tenant farming the land, would amount to much. Yet despite his weak vision and other physical limitations, he poured himself out for those in his village in Norway, praying the many nights when his pain kept him awake. In prayer he’d move from house to house, naming each person individually, even the children he hadn’t yet met. People loved his gentle spirit and would seek his wisdom and advice. If he couldn’t help them practically, they’d still feel blessed when they left, having received his love. And when Jørn died, his funeral was the biggest ever in that community, even though he had no family there. His prayers blossomed and brought forth fruit beyond what he could have imagined.

This humble man followed in the example of the apostle Paul, who loved those he served and prayed for them while confined. He wrote to those in Ephesus while he was likely imprisoned in Rome, praying that God would give them “the Spirit of wisdom and revelation” and that the eyes of their hearts would be “enlightened” (Ephesians 1:17–18). He yearned that they would know Jesus and live with love and unity through the power of the Spirit.

Jørn and the apostle Paul poured themselves out to God, committing those they loved and served to Him in prayer. May we consider their examples in how we love and serve others today.