HELPING TOGETHER IN PRAYER
A pastor’s wife left a pitiful message on our ministry’s answering service. She said in very slurred speech, “Brother Dave, thousands of preachers’ wives drink in secret to cover their pain. That’s what I do. I drink to dull the ache.” Other ministers’ wives write of their failing marriage or their husband’s addiction to pornography.
Beloved, these are the people I am now helping in prayer. I pray for ministers and their families, because I know they need it. I have learned firsthand that helping prayer works. Scripture says that when the apostle Peter was bound in jail, “prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him” (Acts 12:5). And God delivered Peter with a miracle!
Paul not only asked for prayer helpers, but he was a helper himself. He knew it was part of his calling as a minister of the gospel. He wrote to the Philippians, “To all the saints . . . with the bishops and deacons . . . I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy . . . because I have you in my heart” (Philippians 1:1, 3, 4, 7).
Are you aware of a brother or sister whose marriage is in turmoil? If so, what do you do about it? Do you merely tell others what a shame it is that they are about to break up? Or do you bring up their names to the Lord and strive for them in prayer?
Do you desire this ministry of being a helper in prayer? If you don’t know anyone with a need, start by praying for all Christian marriages and all of God’s saints. Your prayers do not have to be long. Simply state your request, and trust God to hear you.
This was illustrated for me once when I was sick in bed. One of my grandsons came in and announced, “Papa, I’m going to pray for you.” My little helper laid his hand on my head and prayed, “Jesus, make him all better.” I smiled and thanked him but he just kept looking at me. Finally, he said, “You’re healed. Get up!” So I did get up—and I was healed! His prayer of faith brought me to my feet.
Mighty deliverances take place when God’s saints seek Him diligently with childlike faith for the needs of their brothers and sisters.
Beloved, these are the people I am now helping in prayer. I pray for ministers and their families, because I know they need it. I have learned firsthand that helping prayer works. Scripture says that when the apostle Peter was bound in jail, “prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him” (Acts 12:5). And God delivered Peter with a miracle!
Paul not only asked for prayer helpers, but he was a helper himself. He knew it was part of his calling as a minister of the gospel. He wrote to the Philippians, “To all the saints . . . with the bishops and deacons . . . I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy . . . because I have you in my heart” (Philippians 1:1, 3, 4, 7).
Are you aware of a brother or sister whose marriage is in turmoil? If so, what do you do about it? Do you merely tell others what a shame it is that they are about to break up? Or do you bring up their names to the Lord and strive for them in prayer?
Do you desire this ministry of being a helper in prayer? If you don’t know anyone with a need, start by praying for all Christian marriages and all of God’s saints. Your prayers do not have to be long. Simply state your request, and trust God to hear you.
This was illustrated for me once when I was sick in bed. One of my grandsons came in and announced, “Papa, I’m going to pray for you.” My little helper laid his hand on my head and prayed, “Jesus, make him all better.” I smiled and thanked him but he just kept looking at me. Finally, he said, “You’re healed. Get up!” So I did get up—and I was healed! His prayer of faith brought me to my feet.
Mighty deliverances take place when God’s saints seek Him diligently with childlike faith for the needs of their brothers and sisters.