Praying for one another

Pray for us, for our conscience is clear and we want to live honorably in everything we do. And especially pray that I will be able to come back to you soon. Hebrews 13:18-19 NLT

The writer of Hebrews asked the congregation for prayer for the leaders so that they will have a clear conscience and live honorably in everything they do. They wanted to serve God as best as they could but they knew that such could only be attained when others are praying for them. Work of the ministry depends on God and the wisdom He alone provides. Paul recognized this when he urged the church in Corinth, a church plagued with problems, to pray for their leaders as well as for others. “You are helping us by praying for us…We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom” (2 Corinthians 1:11-12). Another request by the writer of Hebrews to the congregation is that they pray so he would be able to come back soon. How often church leaders appropriated the wisdom provided from these passages. There is a constant awareness that effectiveness in ministry can only happen through prayer. There should be a partnership among believers, praying for one another so that the power of God will be manifested. The extent of the task cannot be done by relying on one’s ability. Since we are dealing with an enemy that is constantly waging war against the church, we need God’s supernatural working. Before the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to heaven after His resurrection, He commanded the disciples to stay and wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit for they needed Him in order for them to reach others with the gospel’s message. “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before… you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:4, 8). In these times of challenges and uncertainties, let us commit to continue to pray for one another. Let us anticipate that God will answer and expect the power He will provide. “We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us… Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers” (2 Corinthians 10b-11).

Blessings,