Colossians 1:3-5a, “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven.”
My dear mother was a prayer warrior for my brother and me, especially after we graduated from high school. Because of her consistent prayers for me, I have her to thank for God connecting me with my first Christian woman mentor, Margaret Hanson, when I was twenty-two years old. God used Margaret to help complete in me my faith and obedience in God. Margaret’s walk with God blessed me and made a huge impact on my young adult years. Who can you name that has done that for you? Do you realize that person more than likely was sent to you by the Holy Spirit due to someone loving you by their prayers on your behalf?
Paul and Timothy never went to Colossae yet felt a pastoral love and calling to warn the people against deceptive, false doctrine teaching and beliefs, and gave instructions on living the Christian life. Paul’s solution was that they needed to have a deeper understanding and knowledge of Jesus and His will. That is the antidote for me, too, when needing more faith, hope, and love, during times of discouragement. Throughout the gospels Jesus responded to people who did not have much faith. Our Great Shepherd, promises to bring order out of chaos, bring stability where there are struggles, due to His provision, protection, and presence (Psalm 23, Isa. 43:1, Isa. 52:12, Deut. 31:8) that shields and protects us. He is the prince of peace – Sar Shalom.
Who in your life needs encouragement from receiving your loving words or acts of service, so their faith in the Lord will be strengthened? Here is another question: Who can you pray for today, that has rubbed you the wrong way? We all are facing struggles and may hide them with smiles on our faces. Jesus wants us to believe He is who He says He is. The Lord wants us to have heart knowledge and not just head knowledge. He wants us to have no doubts that He can if He chooses.
The Israelites in Judges had many battles, and some died. God still required faithfulness and obedience to Him. I have realized there may be some setbacks, but that does not mean God is not leading me. Therefore, whatever happens, I need to remain loyal to God, my Great Shepherd. All God wants of me is to follow and obey Him.
Who does God want you to pray for today? When you see someone doing well, be like Paul and thank the Lord for that person and intercede on their behalf. Don’t only pray for people who are hurting. You could be just the one to make a difference in someone’s life by giving a message of hope, faith, and love in encouragement, reminding them of God’s protection, provision, and presence. You may never know how God is using you to make a difference in someone’s life. Prayer is powerful. “In prayer you gain your strength – the power to gird yourself with armor that extinguishes every weapon your enemy wields. We pray because our own solutions don’t work and because prayer deploys, activates, and fortifies us against the attacks of the enemy.” Priscilla Shirer.
Listen to Mercy Me – Almost Home – Lyric Video by InBeautiful Chaos. 10/25/2019.