December 30, 2013
Struggling Together in Prayer
Sharon Jaynes
Today’s Truth
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 (Romans 15:30).
Friend to Friend
I am so glad that God gave us girlfriends who will struggle with us in prayer. Paul wasn’t a Girlfriend in God, but he certainly understood the power of our words to God in prayer.
He wrote: “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” (Romans 15:30).
“Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should” (Ephesians 6:18-20).
The New Testament was originally written in Greek and sometimes looking at the original definitions of the Greek words can give us great insight. The Greek word Paul uses for struggle in Romans 15:30 is sunagonizomai, which means “to struggle in company of; i.e., to be a partner (assistant), strive together with.” The root word means “to endeavor to accomplish something: fight, labor fervently, strive,” for example, to compete for a prize or to contend with an adversary.
Prayer for another person is not simply a nice platitude or a pat on the back. When we tell someone that we will pray for him or her, we are agreeing to put on the armor and head to the front lines of battle on their behalf.
Many ancient shields had brackets attached to the sides. These brackets were a type of latch that soldiers could use to lock their shields together during battle. When the armors were locked together, the soldiers moved as one force, forming a barricade against the enemy.
Alone, the shield was a small defense. Together they formed a human barricade.
Do you see the significance? When we lock arms in prayer with others, we are locking our shields together and forming a powerfully strong wall of defense.
One night I was in the restroom touching up my makeup before speaking to several hundred women. I was having one of those moments when I looked in the mirror and negative thoughts began swirling in my mind. What am I doing here? What do I possibly have to say to these women that could make any difference in their lives? I am not capable of walking to that podium tonight.
While I was mulling over the lies (the fiery darts that Satan was shooting into my mind), my cell phone rang.
“Hello.”
“Hi, Sharon. This is Mary. [My GiG Mary.] Where are you?”
“Actually, I’m standing in the restroom at a speaking engagement getting ready to walk out on the stage. I forgot to turn off my cell phone!”
“I want you to know,” Mary continued, “God interrupted me while I was cooking dinner and told me to pray for you. Not only that, He told me to call you…now.”
I imagined Mary standing in her kitchen with spaghetti sauce simmering on the stove and stopping mid-stir.There might have been a little conversation with God that went something like this: Call Sharon and pray for her, God might have said.
Could you just wait a minute, God? The sauce is almost done.
Call Sharon and pray for her, God repeated.
Ok, Ok, I’ll do it now.
There was great power in Mary’s instant obedience. If she had waited, I would not have known that she was praying. Not only did God prompt her to pray at that moment, He wanted her to tell me that she was doing so. Why? God knew that there was power in her prayer, and He wanted me to know that I was not going into battle alone.
He had called Mary to “struggle with me,” to “strive together in battle,” to lock shields with me and march into victory.
Let’s practice locking shields today and pray for each other. Click over to my Facebook pageand share a prayer request. Then pray for the request above you.
Let’s Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us Girlfriends in God to pray for us and with us. Thank You that You called women to join together as mighty prayer warriors with shields hooked together, marching into battle as one unified force.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Is there someone God is calling you to pray for today?
If so, why not give him or her a call or send an e-mail to let them know.
Better yet, e-mail them the prayer or pray for them over the phone!
And don’t forget to leave your prayer request on my Facebook page so I can pray for you today.
More from the Girlfriends
While we’re talking about prayer, I have a new resource for wives. I am so excited about my new book, Praying for Your Husband from Head to Toe: A Scriptural Guide to Daily Prayer.Click here to read a sneak peak. It is now available for pre-order and will ship out December 17 or before.
Seeking God?
Click here to find out more about
how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Girlfriends in God
Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com
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Originally published Monday, 30 December 2013.
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