“And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.”
A few years ago, I naively thought my pastor had no problems. Let me rephrase that… I thought he had no personal problems. (I knew he encountered problems daily trying to get us church folk to do what God wants us to!) He always appeared confident, strong, and to be having a good day. I learned later, through intimate conversations, he too needed prayer. The same rings true for all of us. Don’t think for a minute just because I write these devotionals daily that I have it altogether! Most of the time I’m writing to myself, and hope sharing can help someone else!
Even when you think someone has it “altogether,” pray anyway. God has called and strengthened you to bear the burdens of others. You may not know if your dad struggles to pay bills, pray anyway. Your mother may never complain about the loss of loved ones, pray anyway. Your pastor may appear to be a strong tower in the community, pray anyway. Your best friend just got promoted, pray anyway. Doors open and chains you may not be aware of are broken when you lift others in prayer. You won’t always know specifically what’s going on in their lives, but pray anyway.
The effectual fervent prayer of the righteous
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“Heavenly Father, thank You for strengthening me to decrease burdens through prayer. I ask that You open every blessed door and break every chain of oppression for those that love You and are called according to Your purpose. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”