Series: Giving Thanks
Colossians 4:2 ESV
Romans 12:2 ESV
2 Corinthians 13:11 ESV
There are days when I do not want to face the world. I do not want to leave my room.
That’s because I just want to sit with God.
Colossians 4:2 says, “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”
That verse and attitude gives me great hope. That’s because Paul understood. I envision Paul quietly sitting in his cell (or wherever he was imprisoned) and being content to sit and pray.
Paul knew that while his time as a missionary was vitally important to spreading the good news about Jesus, he was just as content sitting in his secluded space.
Paul wrote in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
When Paul was imprisoned he had the time to pray for all of the churches he started and visited. He knew that while the missionary efforts were vital, praying for those tender congregations was just as important.
Twenty years ago I walked into a church that had the makings of a strong prayer ministry. It was a large congregation so I consider it a major miracle that I met a group of people who were completely committed to the prayer ministry.
While they did pray for others in church, they were not only committed to praying on Sunday morning. There were teams of people who prayed during church, there were teams who prayed for others after church, there was a healing prayer team, there were people who practiced intercessory prayer, and there were people who prayed for the sick and the dying.
Being able to pray with them was one of the greatest blessings of my life. Even though I had been a pastor’s wife for 30+ years and had served in youth ministry, children’s ministry, and women’s ministry, being able to serve in prayer ministry was a wonderful blessing.
In addition to being able to “keep watch” and pray, God did a wonderful unexpected thing. Over time we noticed something was being woven into the fabric of the ministry. Even though though the prayer teams were separate, God formed a bond between the prayer team leaders. We didn’t really plan for that to happen but it came about organically.
It was a wonderful surprise blessing!
Without asking for it or expecting it, God was at work in each of us us behind the scenes. God was transforming the prayer leaders so that we were a unit.
In Philippians 2:2 Paul wrote, “Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”
While we lead separate teams we were a unified team. We had the same goals for the prayer ministry.
I particularly remember one event when the other prayer leaders blessed me greatly. My youngest son was getting married and they had planned a wonderful celebration after the ceremony. It was a time to celebrate their union with family and friends.
A dinner was planned and they had a wonderful live band that played after the dinner. I was newly single and I was nervous about the event. I had been married for over thirty years and going by myself felt “strange”.
I asked the prayer leaders to pray that I would be comfortable and I would be able to celebrate.
They knew my son and his future wife and quite unexpectedly a few of them offered to go with me. The wedding was an hour away and I told them that was too much to ask. They said “oh, it’ll be fun!” So, we all went to the reception together.
Even though I told them it meant a great deal to me, I don’t know if they knew that even years later I would remember and be blessed by their kindness and love.
2 Corinthians 13:11 says, “Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.”
Indeed, they comforted me.
I was not uncomfortable being there without a partner.
Years later I remember their love.
Today many years later even though I am still single, I am extremely comfortable with my status. I loved being married and having a large family, but now I love being single. It means I can pray and write all day long when God gives me ideas.
It means I can decide on a moments notice to go visit my children and grandchildren.
God knew exactly what I needed and God provided in both cases.
And I am very blessed!
Spiritual Practice: Unexpected Blessing
Name a time when you were unexpectedly blessed and thank God for it!
In God, Deborah
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