NaasPreacher (C4K)
Well-Known Member
Wednesday, 13th October, 2004
When someone is hurting we often ask the question, “What can I do to help?” Often we get the simple reply, “Just pray.” I know when that happens I tend to think, “Are you sure that is all I kind do?”
Yet, the Word of God treats helping in prayer as a mighty work. It is not “just pray” but it is a true source of help.
2 Corinthians 2v10-11
who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver; in whom we trust that He will yet deliver us, with you also helping together by prayer for us, so that the gracious gift by many persons be the cause of thanksgiving through many for us.
Barnes gives us a clear picture of what Paul is saying here.
There is truly no greater comfort that to KNOW that others are praying for you when you are going through a trial. More than that, Samuel viewed not praying for another as being sin. In 1 Samuel 12v23 we read, “Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:”
The next time someone says, “Just pray” may we take it to heart, realise that prayer is the greatest help we can give, and not sin against them by ceasing to pray for them.
When someone is hurting we often ask the question, “What can I do to help?” Often we get the simple reply, “Just pray.” I know when that happens I tend to think, “Are you sure that is all I kind do?”
Yet, the Word of God treats helping in prayer as a mighty work. It is not “just pray” but it is a true source of help.
2 Corinthians 2v10-11
who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver; in whom we trust that He will yet deliver us, with you also helping together by prayer for us, so that the gracious gift by many persons be the cause of thanksgiving through many for us.
Barnes gives us a clear picture of what Paul is saying here.
Have you ever noted how close to another you are drawn when you are labouring in prayer with them? There is nothing better for the unity of the church that share our needs and burdens in prayer. O how often we miss the joy of assisting each other in prayer!The word rendered “helping together,” means cooperating, aiding, assisting; and the idea is, that Paul felt that his trials might be turned to good account, and give occasion for thanksgiving; and that this was to be accomplished by the aid of the prayers of his fellow Christians. He felt that the church was one, and that Christians should sympathize with one another. He evinced deep humility and tender regard for the Corinthians when he called on them to aid him by their prayers. Nothing would be better calculated to excite their tender affection and regard than thus to call on them to sympathize with him in his trials, and to pray that those trials might result in thanksgiving throughout the churches.
There is truly no greater comfort that to KNOW that others are praying for you when you are going through a trial. More than that, Samuel viewed not praying for another as being sin. In 1 Samuel 12v23 we read, “Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:”
The next time someone says, “Just pray” may we take it to heart, realise that prayer is the greatest help we can give, and not sin against them by ceasing to pray for them.