"I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers." Ephesians 1:16
Paul's love for those he served in Christ was reflected in his continual prayers for them. What do our prayers say about the depth of our affection for those with whom we serve and worship the Lord. A mark of a unified and powerful fellowship of believers would surely be faithful intercessory prayer for one another. And this prayer would be chiefly concerned with the spiritual health and progress for those whom we pray. Note as you read Paul's prayer in Ephesians 1:17-19 and his prayers in his other letters that they are dominated by concern for the spiritual rather than physical needs. For whom are we praying? What are we praying for them?
Father, give me a heart of love and concern for my fellow believers that inspires me to pray faithfully for their spiritual progress in Christ.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
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In His perfect wisdom, God allows us to somehow connect with Him through the mystery of prayer. I am so thankful to belong to a praying church.
ReplyDeleteRecently, I prayed intensely for some of our church members just before coming to Wednesday night service. The fellowship that night was especially sweet, because I had met with God at the throne of grace for my brothers and sisters. There is really no greater feeling or state of being than being "right" with God and my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Father God, I thank you for your perfect plan for us, which includes and necessitates prayer. I'm so thankful to be your child, and that I am able to come to you through your son, Jesus. Thank you Jesus, for interceding on my behalf, and Holy Spirit, for communicating for me when I have no words.
In Jesus precious name,
Amen
Good Morning Pastor Mark,
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to the mystery of problems and pain in the lives of God's people sometimes I feel like my prayers are inadequate, but then I realize that Almighty God is the adequate one. So, I try to pray like Paul, when he said in verse 17-19 "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the KNOWLEDGE of Him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened: that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power. Lord in the painful times in life may we look upward to you. Love in Christ Francie