Think of the times when you prayed for others, whether they asked or not.
Were you able to pray in person with them?
Did you send them messages of encouragement every now and then?
How constant were you with your prayers?
Have you reached out to ask someone or a group of people for prayer? Was it through a Facebook group, a church, a website (even mine that has my email), or a friend?
Did anyone take the time to pray with you right then and there?
Did you get reminders every now and then that you were being prayed for?
Could you feel in your spirit the power of these prayers?
When I recently asked for prayers in a Christian community via an email, my spirit was encouraged when I read…
The few words spoke volumes to me and filled my spirit with joy. A big smile came to my face as I let the words settle into my soul.
While reading those words, knowing that prayer warriors were praying with heartfelt sincerity for my requests brought me…
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. –2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)
God is the Father of compassion, which brings comfort into our lives. Consider how God’s compassion flows through Jesus and then through us as well. It is like a never-ending gift that we are honored to experience and share.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. –Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
As we pray, in whatever form it be, praising, petitioning, or thanksgiving, we can experience God’s peace, which also gives us hope. We come to encounter God in our prayer along with a peace that the world cannot understand.
I was encouraged more during the week when the person would specify the prayer requests in a text along with the…
…knowing how committed to prayer they were. It brought me continued comfort and peace.
I felt the sincerity of the people being…
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. –Galatians 6:2 (NIV)
By walking with people through difficult times, we show our love for one another, which fulfills the two great commandments Jesus gave us. We are to love God above all and our neighbor as ourselves.
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. –Philippians 2:1-2 (NIV)
Being united with Christ, we have the privilege of sharing love, tenderness, compassion, and joy with everyone. We are one in spirit with Christ, which we can share with others.
Another friend of mine lived this sincerity of prayer by stopping at a sacred place to pray for my intentions, sending me a picture, and wishing me a peace-filled day feeling God’s love. It was a gesture that touched my heart, knowing someone cared that much and felt inspired to go the extra mile.
As the words…
…echoed in my mind, I couldn’t help but think that God was also speaking those words to me and you!
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. –Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)
God is God, who is above all. Therefore, we do not need to be afraid or discouraged. God promises to strengthen and help us. We have the victory with God’s right hand. God’s always got us!
I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. –Psalm 139:7-8 (NLT)
We can’t get away from God no matter where we go! God is everywhere, from heaven to the grave. What a comfort to know that He is always with us. God’s always got us!
Be encouraged this week to…
…share the phrase “I got you” with sincerity to someone in need.
…let someone know you are faithfully praying for them through their difficulties.
…reach out to a trusted person if you need some prayer.
…remember that God’s always got us!
Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. –3 John 1:2-3 (NIV)
