Title: The Power of Praying Friends
Text:
1 Thessalonians 5:25 (ESV)
25 Brothers, pray for us.
Observation:
One of the spiritual objectives of members of the Gideons International is to be men of prayer; our wives, who comprise the auxiliary, also have a similar objective. Prayer has been a vital part of my life for a long time. It is one of my non negotiable priorities.
I woke up this morning with prayer on my mind. The Lord spoke into my heart, and strengthened me for what I will face today with this uplifting word from the Psalms.
Psalm 62:1-2 (ESV)
1 For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.
I have three men who are most loyal and faithful friends, and the bedrock of our friendship is rooted and grounded in prayer. I can share with them some of the deepest needs of my life, and I know that they will intercede with our heavenly Father for me. I do the same for them. It is a wonderful relationship.
Prayer was a priority and power in the life of Paul, and it has had a profound impact on my life and ministry. Paul has left us a wonderful example to follow; give your friends the opportunity to pray for you. I value the prayers of so many who have prayed for me; many without me having personal knowledge of who you are.
I will never forget an experience I had after preaching in our church one Sunday morning. A very godly woman; one of our senior (seasoned) members, squeezed my hand, and said I appreciate so much what you have done for my family. Then she said this, "I pray for you every day". Wow, how blessed I am to have people who pray for me.
Romans 15:30-32 (ESV)
30 I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf,
31 that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints,
32 so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company.
Prayer:
Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful that you have surrounded me with trusted friends who love You, and who love me. Father, I am so grateful for being the recipient of the blessings that come from your hand in answer to their prayers for me. Father, I pray that you will add to my circle of trusted friends men and women of prayer. In Jesus name, Amen.
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Acts 6:4 (KJV)
4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:
http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/
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