Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
God's Grace Poured Out
Studies reveals that young people increasingly feel isolated, fearful and rejected. However, this crisis isn't just about youth; multitudes of adults live in silent despair. Our trials can be overwhelming without someone to walk with us and help us bear our suffering.
The apostle Paul knew what it meant to suffer alone in a soul-crushing situation. He was shackled and imprisoned several times, often in horrific and inhumane conditions. At one point, Paul asked Timothy to bring him a cloak to keep him warm. I suspect that Paul was fraught with desperate need every day he spent in prison.
As awful as his situation was, his inner trials were even harder. His letter to the Philippians contains revelations of how alone he felt. Still, we know this man of great faith wasn't easily dissuaded from his hope in Christ.
Paul wrote, "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now" (Philippians 1:3-5, ESV).
The word for "thank" here has the same root as the word "eucharist" and is the same word we use for communion, the bread and wine that represent Christ's body and blood. The first part, "eu," means "well" as in "deeply" or "fully." The second part, "charis," means "grace." So, when Paul wrote, "I thank," he was saying, "I express my gratitude for how much I have been given."
How was Paul able to be thankful amid his excruciating trials? Simply put, his mindset wasn't based on circumstances but on the life-giving grace God gave him. He testified that such grace welled up in him as he thought of God's people.
In every trial, God reserves for us an infilling of grace that gives us access to deep joy. This grace is meant to be poured out on our suffering so that we may endure it. Very often, the vessels of such grace are the members of Christ's body who pour out his fragrant, gracious beauty on one another in times of need.
Lord, may those who suffer among us behold the fullness of your good news through the comfort of your people joyfully delivering gifts. Show us the great need in your body so we may pour out your grace to each other. Amen.
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I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4
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