PHOTO ABOVE: My prayer and encouragement ladies.
A LITTLE EXPLANATION:
This is my second Roman’s blog. I am taking a college course and will be posting a series of blogs on Romans as part of a class assignment. I would appreciate feedback on these blogs. The Roman blogs will be quite different than my usual blogs and I seem to be moving slow. This one is simply my musings.
Romans 1:8-13
I tend to move slow in my Bible reading. I like to savor the verses. Think about what God is saying to me and pray through the Bible as I read. Last week I was struck by how Paul introduced himself as servant, apostle and set apart to tell the good news. Not too much farther down in chapter one of Romans we learn something else about Paul. He prayed for others. He says he remembered those in Rome constantly in prayer.
In verse 8, Paul says, “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.” And a little further on he says, “I constantly remember you in my prayers at all times;”
Paul prayed for them and he longed to see them so that they could be “mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.”
I wonder, are we faithful to thank God and pray for those in our circle of influence; our friends, neighbors and even others around the world? Are we encouraging others and being encouraged by those around us? Is our faith an encouragement to others?
It’s easy to separate our faith walk from the rest of our busy lives, but let’s make it a part of everything we do and say. How can we incorporate our faith into what we talk about?
I wonder if we could share what God has done for us with those around us or when someone tells us about a challenge they are going through, can we stop then and there and pray for them?
Could we send them an e-mail of encouragement or a card?
I have many friends with needs right now. Some are fighting cancer, some have lost their jobs, a few friends are struggling with addictions and some have lost hope. I find it so easy to say, “I will pray for you.”, but do I remember or is it just a something that sounds good to say? I want to be like Paul; thanking God for my friends and praying for them constantly. I want to mutually encourage others in their faith. Will you join me? Let’s start a prayer and care epidemic by taking time to pray and encourage each other all throughout our week.
PRAYER:
Father God,
I am so thankful for the people you have placed in my life to encourage me in my faith walk. I am also thankful for those who agree with me in prayer. I am inspired and encouraged when I see and hear how you are working in others lives. I want to be an encourager too. Like Paul, I want to learn to pray for others constantly. Remind me to pray everywhere I go, Lord, and when someone shares a need with me, remind me to stop and pray right then and there. I pray for friends that need hope and healing right now, give them peace, strength and encourage their hearts. I know nothing is too hard for you, so I bring to you those who have cancer, who are struggling in their marriages or have financial problems. Reach out and touch them with your mighty hand. May they find hope in Jesus and may they be encouraged in their faith. Amen.
QUESTION: How are you incorporating prayer and mutually encouraging faith into your life? Share your faith stories so we all can learn from one another.
Faith Steps and More 