PODCAST
Sharing in the Struggle
June 3rd, 2011
Romans 15:23-33
Prayer is as vital to godly living and ministry as breath is to life. At least nine times the apostle Paul encourages his readers to pray for him and his companions in ministry (Rom. 1:10; 2 Cor. 1:11; Eph. 6:19-20; Phil. 1:19; 1 Thess. 5:25; 2 Thess. 3:1; Philem. 22). It is safe to assume Paul viewed this reciprocal cycle of prayer to be part of the daily life of Christ’s followers. He even instructs Timothy, “. . . that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone . . . that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior” (1 Tim. 2:1-3).
When we pray for fellow believers we enter into their struggle. In doing so we “carry each other’s burdens” (Gal. 6:2). Oswald Chambers said “Too often we treat prayer as the preparation for the work of the church . . . do you not see, prayer IS the work of the church?”
