Rely on God

DAILY READING

2 Corinthians 1:8-11

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

Background Pray-ers

By Judy Webb

I am convinced that my grandmother prayed for me. I never knew her very well because we weren’t with her often, but I know she believed in God and practiced her faith. Somewhere along the way, I believe the Holy Spirit let me know she was praying. That gave me comfort, and answered a lot of questions I had about how my faith had taken off and grown, when it was not nurtured by anyone while growing up. It is those ‘background prayers’ of believers that make a difference.

We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. (2 Corinthians 1:8b)

Are you one who prays in the background. Do you lift up friends and family on a regular basis? Our reading today suggests Paul coveted these types of prayers. He asked his brothers and sisters in the faith, to pray for him. We aren’t certain if his request was for safety, or relief from physical distress, but nonetheless, prayers of the faithful kept him going.

He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. (2 Corinthians 1:10-11a)

Paul knew the value of intercessory prayer, we should as well. When we experience intercessory prayers of friends and acquaintances, our lives and our work (ministry) are beefed up and empowered in a dramatic way. I shudder to think what my life would be like, had ‘grandma’ not been praying in the background.

PRAYER PRACTICE

Spoken Prayer – Out loud, pray for God to speak to you through your reading. Praise God for giving us His word. Ask the Spirit to help you read with faith, and to live out what you hear from God through the passage.