2 Tim 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
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PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER
MONDAY, JANUARY 6
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
Ephesians 6:18-20
“Ye also helping together
by prayer for us …”
PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER
In verse 11, Paul thanked the Corinthian Christians for praying for his deliverance, thereby enjoining them to continue to pray for him as he laboured for Christ.
It was a common practice of Paul to beseech the saints to pray for him (cf. Eph 6:18-20; Rom 15:30-32; Col 4:2-3). The question may then be asked: if Paul’s trust is in God rather than in men, why then does he enjoin the saints to intercede for him?
Answer: God does not need any man, nor does He need the prayers of any man, to perform and accomplish His will. Yet it pleases God that He should use the prayers of the saints to effect His will upon earth. Thus, the Scripture remarks, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16b).
It is our God-given duty and privilege to intercede for one another. When we unite in Christ to present our prayers in truth to the Father, we are filled with thanksgiving, praise and joy when we see our supplications answered. It provides a wonderful occasion for the saints to experience God’s comfort.
Passages such as these affirm the importance of the prayer meeting. A church which does not pray is a dead church. On the other hand, a church that prays finds much grace and comfort from the Lord. Spurgeon said, “Well, you may try to do without Prayer Meetings if you like, but my solemn conviction is that, as these decline, the Spirit of God will depart from you and the preaching of the Gospel will be of small account. The Lord will have the prayers of His people to go with the proclamation of His Gospel if it is to be the power of God unto salvation -- and there is no change in this matter since Paul’s day! Jesus Christ is ‘the same yesterday, and today, and forever.’”
Are you attending your church prayer meeting?
THOUGHT: “If God be near a church, it must pray” (Spurgeon).
PRAYER: I flee to Thee for help, My Rock and Shield!