Bless You

by Rebecca Irwin

I have a dear friend from college who has the habit, when we correspond, to respond with a written prayer just for me. She will address the concerns I have written about in an email or note as we “catch up” on each other’s lives and boldly claim God’s promises and power to address them. It is an indescribable blessing.

In Ephesians 6, Paul wrote : “Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.” (vs. 14-18,)

In 1 Timothy, chapter 2, we read : “The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know…Since prayer is at the bottom of all this, what I want mostly is for men to pray - not shaking angry fists at enemies but raising holy hands to God.” (vs 1, 8).

James also writes in 5:16 “Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with.”

Sisters in Christ, I offer you a challenge today. Bring someone into the intimacy of prayer and bless him or her by writing a prayer for them or praying out loud over the phone or in person. It has a powerful impact when another hears your prayer for them (or reads it) and knows you mean it when you say, “I’m praying for you”.

Lord, I pray for this dear reader that she would have the boldness to bless someone with her spoken or written prayer today. I pray that she would not worry what the other person might think or her words or language. If she lacks words Lord, reminder her of yours. Amen.

Pray

by Cindy Frauenheim

" The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well (emphasis mine) so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live. "
1 Timothy 2: 1-3 in The Message

I am an avid listener to Janet Parshall on 890 AM. I knew that after the election I could count on her to give encouragement and biblical counsel for all believers in this age when we see such polarization in our culture (I highly recommend her show). What I have taken away from her these past couple of days is an exhortation to pray daily for our new president-elect. Whether or not we voted for him, he is in such a position of prominence and power, and will face huge challenges – perhaps bigger than we might imagine. I cannot say that I have prayed regularly for our current president, except sporadically, and that is not to my credit. Wouldn’t it be awesome if Christians in this country resolved to be diligent in prayer for our commander-in-chief on a daily basis? Perhaps God has chosen this turn of events to stir his people to seek him more passionately?

As Debbi noted on Wednesday, God is all sovereign, and that gives me great peace. I am concerned for our country, but not fearful. I am excited about how God may use his people in the years just ahead. He has his perfect plan, and it will not be thwarted, yet mysteriously he can and he does use the prayers of his children in the process. God can even change the heart of a leader. He has done this many times in history, and will again if he so chooses. Let’s pray that our leaders, legislators, and judges will humble themselves before the one, true God, and seek to honor him.

"The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will."
Proverbs 21:1 ESV

Father, help me to pray as I’ve never prayed before for the leadership of this country. Give me eyes to see you at work. Give me a compassionate heart, perseverance, and the courage that comes only from total reliance on you.

"I'll Pray For You"

by Cindy Frauenheim

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" Galatians 6:2

"Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." Romans 12:15

My heart is burdened for a few friends that are suffering. Their trials are very different. They have chosen to share their pain with me and ask for prayer. I struggle with how to be of any further help – do you ever feel that way? I need to remind myself that prayer is NOT a last resort. It should be our first, and continual course of action. Today I want to encourage us (myself included) to intentionally come alongside others we know that are facing a trial. We need each other, and God wants it that way. Here are some practical ways to do that:

1) PRAY for them. Make yourself a written or other visual reminder to really do that every day. Set yourself a reminder on your calendar to check in with that friend every few days or weeks to see how God is working or how you can pray more specifically. Pray with them. Never forget to rejoice together when you see God working!

2) MEET TOGETHER. Rearrange your day to prepare or meet them somewhere for a meal, a walk, or just coffee.

3) HELP THEM. Offer very specific and tangible help that you can give. Perhaps watching her children so she can get some time alone to think, sleep, or sit at the Lord’s feet. Or do it in the evening so she and her husband can get some needed time together. Perhaps you can run some errands for her, or accompany her to a doctor’s visit.

4) LISTEN. Be known for listening well. That may be all that is needed to turn her day around.

5) BE TRUSTWORTHY. Whatever trials or struggles your friend is facing, never share that information with anyone else, except the Lord, unless she specifically asks you to request others to pray.

"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Galatians 6:10

Lord, I feel inadequate to help, but I know you can use a willing heart. Help me to get my eyes off of myself long enough to really spend time in prayer for others. Show me ways to help, and may your Spirit cause me to follow through! You are ultimately in control, and will be my friends’ healer, comforter, and counselor; use me as you see fit. Help me to be a good listener, and to gently point others back to You.