Joining

DEVOTION
ROMANS
JOINING

Rom 15:30-33
30 I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. 31 Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there, 32 so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed. 33 The God of peace be with you all. Amen. NIV
How many times do I pray for others during their time of struggles? Times of difficult situations and times of pain and suffering are a part of every believer’s life. To think because I am a child of God, I will always live in a bed of roses is simply stupid thinking. I have had my struggles, but God has always been there to see me through and therefore I must conclude he is always there to see other believers through their times of struggles as well. So I have to ask, what is the point of others praying for me, or me praying for them? God already knows when I or they are going through a struggle and he is there comforting, encouraging, sustaining, providing, and guiding through those times. So why bother praying, is the question in my little brain. Perhaps it is the sense of community created by praying for each other. Perhaps it creates a bond, a forming of the body of Christ, all parts functioning to serve and be served by all other parts. Certainly God can act without my praying for someone. He also can act without them praying for me. But he does desire for me to do just that, to pray for someone who is going through a struggle. He desires for me to be a part of their life and for them to be a part of mine. Prayer brings me closer to them. Yet I also have to see, a certain amount of transparently needed here. Instead of keeping things inside, not sharing those struggles, I have to; they have to be open and forthright about having difficulties. All too often, the false front, consent smile and “Praise the Lord” fill the community of believers and hinder the bond of praying for each other. I am guilty of this, of that I am sure. Does admitting struggles show a lack of faith? Is that what I am afraid of? Is it a form of spiritual pride, not wanting others to think I lack faith? Or is it truly a sign of great faith in our God to have others joining me in my struggle by praying for me? I think so. Does it also bring God the glory in the answer? I know so! Does that not refresh everyone? I am sure of it. It comes down to joining.