"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE WHO ARE PRAYING"
2nd Corinthians 2:11 you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.
Some explanatory thoughts, application and a prayer:
1. Prayer helps the work of God, that's one way of saying it. That's what Paul said here. He had been doing his work as a missionary, apostle, pastor, and preacher, and he knew the Corinthians were praying for them, and he was now thanking them, and telling them how their prayers had helped the work of God.
2. Notice, Paul says, "You also helping together in prayer for us" In other words, Paul was doing his part, and they (who could not do what Paul did ) were doing what they could. They were unable to travel and do the work of planting churches, but they were working and helping together by their prayers. Prayer helps the work of God.
3. The kind of prayer they were praying, is called "intercession" Or "interceding prayer" Which means to plead with God on the behalf of someone else. That's what they were doing and it was helping the work of God.
4. Since their prayers had helped, Paul was saying that it was time to say "thank You" to God for hearing and answering the prayers that were helping the work of God. He says, ( that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.)
5. May I ask who is on your mind today, and what is on your mind, that is, the things that lay ahead of you, and the trials or difficulties You are facing today? And, may I encourage you to take a moment, and talk to God about those things, and simply tell Him what is on your mind, and ask Him to bring His will to bear and to pass in those matters, and in the lives of the people you have on your heart. Remember, prayer is effective, James 5
A prayer:
Lord, thank You for the fact and the reality that we can pray. And, thank You that Your ears are open to our prayers, and that You use them to bring about Your will. We would ask for ourselves today, that You would fill us with the Holy Ghost throughout this day. May He give us the strength and the wisdom we need to honor You, obey You, be good witnesses of You, and be part of furthering the work of the Kingdom of God.
Thank You for using prayer, and use ours today. in Jesus name.
Amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier.
Calvary Chapel Visalia.
