October 26, 2021
“You also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by man persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.” (2 Corinthians 1:11)
Is prayer really helpful? Does it work? Does it benefit people? Does it advance God’s kingdom? Does it alter what would have happened had we not prayed?
One man said, “There are some things God plans to do whether or not we pray, but there are some things God plans to do only if we pray.”
Prayer is mentioned 650 times in the Bible. The weight of God-inspired Scripture indicates that God intends for us to pray as one of His primary means to advance His kingdom on earth … for “His kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
GREAT AFFLICTION = GREAT PRAYER = GREAT TRUST = GREAT COMFORT = GREAT PRAISE
Paul suffered incredible adversity. He called it a great “affliction” that caused him to “despair even of life.” There were multiple realities he speaks of in 2 Corinthians 1, that came as a result of these difficulties. He was comforted with sufficient comfort by God, which equipped him to comfort others. He was brought low so that he would not trust in himself but God alone.
And his affliction led many to pray for him. These prayers were used, not only to deliver him, but so that thanks would be given to God for this deliverance. In other words, their prayers helped deliver Paul, and this deliverance brought praise to God and gratitude to His people.
PRAYER WORKS
It just does. It takes most of us many years to believe this. Or rather, to believe God and believe that He would give us this avenue to His power. Your prayers bring God into the equation in things both small and great. And as they do, God is glorified.
Do you want to help people be delivered and God more greatly seen and glorified?
Then pray.
Father, thank You for the glorious privilege of prayer. Help us enter Your presence all day long to commune with You, especially on behalf of others. Give us faith to believe in You and in the avenue of prayer so that Your sufficient comfort will deliver people and You will be more greatly honored and praised!
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