I have been a fan of the Apostle Paul for as long as I can remember. I admire the courage and commitment that made him such a bold and adventurous servant of Christ. He experienced a great deal of rejection and suffering, yet he just would not quit. Sometimes it appears that he travelled with a large team of eight or more men. In Athens, he was all alone. Yet always he was prepared to speak and to risk for the cause of Christ. His courage in front of angry individuals and crowds is very impressive.
His reliance upon God is very evident. Yet he also often asked for prayer from those to whom he writes. He seems convinced that the prayers of others for him would make a difference. Even this singular heroic figure felt a deep need for the prayer fellowship of others.
Do you sometimes wonder if your prayers are significant? Do you ever think, "I should pray more, but I don't know what I should pray?" As Paul travelled on his evangelistic journeys, he was convinced that others could be part of his ministry if they prayed. So he wrote to the Christians in Rome:
"I urge you --- to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me." Romans 15:30 You can be a part of what other believers are experiencing - in your city or half way around the world. You can (should I say, you must?) help them in their struggles with opposition, with temptation, with weariness, with frustration simply by praying for them.
I pray often for a number of people and a number of countries. Yet I know I should pray more. I know that I can join with and help my fellow believers in their struggles in North Korea, Turkey, Thailand or the UAE simply by making the effort to pray. What a privilege! What a responsibility!
His reliance upon God is very evident. Yet he also often asked for prayer from those to whom he writes. He seems convinced that the prayers of others for him would make a difference. Even this singular heroic figure felt a deep need for the prayer fellowship of others.
Do you sometimes wonder if your prayers are significant? Do you ever think, "I should pray more, but I don't know what I should pray?" As Paul travelled on his evangelistic journeys, he was convinced that others could be part of his ministry if they prayed. So he wrote to the Christians in Rome:
"I urge you --- to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me." Romans 15:30 You can be a part of what other believers are experiencing - in your city or half way around the world. You can (should I say, you must?) help them in their struggles with opposition, with temptation, with weariness, with frustration simply by praying for them.
I pray often for a number of people and a number of countries. Yet I know I should pray more. I know that I can join with and help my fellow believers in their struggles in North Korea, Turkey, Thailand or the UAE simply by making the effort to pray. What a privilege! What a responsibility!
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