Lent and Relationships #2: Prayer
One of the most significant things we can do for others is to pray for them. In our text for today, Paul has been describing the adversity he faced in his work for the gospel. He firmly believed in the power of trust and prayer.When our loved ones face trouble, heartache and hardship there is an "arrow in our quiver" that many of us forget to use and that is the power of prayer.
The Biblical Truth is that God inspires us to pray for others and that our prayers become a vehicle taking God's grace, peace and strength to those we pray for.
One of the most graphic examples of this is in Exodus 17 when Moses watched the Israelites go into battle against the Amelikites. In v.11 we read: "As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning."Throughout the Old and New Testament the lifting of hands signifies prayer:
"Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin;
pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord.
Lift up your hands to Him for the lives of your children," (Lamentations 2:19)
"I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer..." (1Timothy 2:8)
When we pray for others, it helps them.
When we are in trouble, the prayers of others help us.
Paul was not shy to ask for prayer, but many of us suffer in secret and in silence. Paul was helped because of the prayers of many. We should not be too shy or too proud to ask for prayer and we should be quick to "lift our hands" in prayer for others.
| He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favour granted us in answer to the prayers of many. (2Corinthians1:10-11) |
