Our Daily Bread – Sep 8
Loving Others with Our Prayers / By: James Banks This happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.
2 Corinthians 1:9
Today's Scripture & Insight:
2 Corinthians 1:8–11 (NIV):
8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
“Are people still praying for me?”
That was one of the first questions a missionary asked his wife whenever she was allowed to visit him in prison. He had been falsely accused and incarcerated for his faith for two years. His life was frequently in danger because of the conditions and hostility in the prison, and believers around the world were earnestly praying for him. He wanted to be assured they wouldn’t stop, because he believed God was using their prayers in a powerful way.
Our prayers for others—especially those who are persecuted for their faith—are a vital gift. Paul made this clear when he wrote the believers in Corinth about hardships he faced during his missionary journey. He “was under great pressure,” so much that he “despaired of life itself” (2 Corinthians 1:8). But then he told them God had delivered him and described the tool He’d used to do it: “We have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers” (vv. 10–11, emphasis added). God moves through our prayers to accomplish great good in the lives of His people. One of the best ways to love others is to pray for them, because through our prayers we open the door to the help only God can provide. When we pray for others, we love them in His strength. There’s none greater or more loving than He.
Today’s Hymns
Every Time I Pray
Day by Day
Scripture to Respond:
Colossians 4:2 (NIV)
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Ephesians 6:18-20 (NIV)
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. Reflection:
When Israelites fought with Amalekites, as long as Moses held up his hands to God, Israelites were winning. Even though we are not preaching at the front line, our prayers will become the major force for the preachers fighting for the Lord.
Are you willing to pray with others for those who are persecuted for faith, so that they are not discouraged by the hardships, and fearlessly share the mystery of the Gospel under all kinds of constraints?
Prayer:
Merciful and almighty God, thank You for Your amazing grace that we can pray for others; thank You for working miracles through our prayers. Please help me pray faithfully for others today!
Wong Wai Tung (Chief executive officer of The Great Wall Education Foundation) & Sam Chow (Administrative officer of The Great Wall Education Foundation) Translated by Esther Leung
