Philippians 1:4 (GW)
4 “Every time I pray for all of you, I do it with joy.”
I woke up this morning so blessed of the Lord. I have a wonderful family, a beautiful wife, wonderful children and awesome grandchildren. God has given me the privilege to serve in His Kingdom as one of His Ambassadors in ministering His Word to a loving and caring people here at Columbus West. As I sat in my office early this morning working on my voice singing some of the great songs that have been written that praise the Lord, then sitting down and reading His Word I can’t help but praise His most wonderful Name.
Then as I think about this passage and the Apostle Paul I am reminded of the great people that I serve and how I have the privilege to pray for all of you daily. Think about what he is saying here, “Every time I pray for all of you…” Paul says that he always prayed for the church. The idea is that he prayed all throughout the day for the church. They were constantly on his mind and in his prayers. What a dynamic lesson in prayer for us: to pray by name throughout the day for the church. Not only our church, but for all the churches we know. Not only for all the churches we know, how about the big “C” church? We have been talking about building a city within a city, the Church. I’m not meaning being just another little “c” church. I’m meaning for us to be the big “C” church. The Church that God designed for us to be. One the prays. Not just for ourselves for for all other believers throughout the city, state, country and the world. This is vital as we approach Faith Promise month. Our prayer life must be consistent!!! How many of us pray as we should?! We must pray as if we really believe that prayer changes things and not just when we get around to it.
Romans 1:9 (GW)
9 “I serve God by spreading the Good News about his Son. God is my witness that I always mention you”
When you think about this verse and the time that it was written you have to keep one thing in mind, Paul had never seen the Roman church. He had only heard of their faith and witness for Christ! Yet, here he is praying for them always. Let me ask you a question…Would you consider your prayer life as Full-time, Part-time, Not working at the moment? What can you do right now to make improvements in your prayer life?
Let me make some suggestions…
Make a list of things to be thankful for, and then add to that list prayer request. Once you have made those lists, make a commitment to the Lord to pray everyday for those things. Add to it. Be faithful. Now, as you make your prayer list, ask yourself such questions as these:
- When should I pray?
- Where can I get alone to pray?
- Who do I need to pray for?
- What things and situations should be in my prayers?
- What does the Bible tell me to pray for? Pray for…
- Ministers (1 Thessalonians 5:25)
- Those who are in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-3)
- The afflicted (James 5;13)
- One another (James 5:16)
- The lost (Romans 10:1)
- God’s Will (Matthew 6:10)
- Your daily bread (Matthew 6:11)
- Deliverance from temptation (Matthew 6:13)
- Good things (Matthew 7:11)
Please know that I will be praying for you and with you as we both go through this together. Let me encourage you to go to the prayer and praises page of the website and leave requests and your praises so we can rejoice together. What a joy that the Lord has brought us together at this appointed time. Love all of you.
Pastor Rob
