One of the beautiful things about our church body is the culture of prayer for each other that is a part of our Sunday service. We all face trials and troubles (sometimes they are overwhelming us). And when we know that there are others willing to pray for us and bear us up to Jesus, it makes all the difference. When we take time out after corporate worship to pray for each other it truly is something special.
First, it shows us that none of us are perfect. The church is not a country club, but a hospital. It is for broken people who know only Jesus can save us and help us in life. The perfect One (Jesus) meets us in our imperfection and loves us!
Second, it shows us what we value. When we come forward for prayer it is not only a statement of "I need Jesus", but "I value the prayers of others over me." Galatians 6:2 tells us "Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." What's His law? To love one another as He has loved us.
Lastly, it shows us that we know that power & prayer are connected. We need His power to rise above the trials and troubles. We need His power to be an effective witness when we are hurting. And we know that through prayer comes His power. As James 5:16 says, "The effective fervent prayer of the righteous man avails much" And so keep on praying for one another and watching God work through your prayers.
One of the simplest and powerful ways to love others is praying for them. Ask someone this week, "Hey, how can I pray for you?" And then go right ahead and do it right then.
Pastor Jesse Claycamp
