I challenge you to leave a lasting mark by praying for spiritual development in the lives of others this week.
On Sunday we learned that the Apostle Paul wasn’t ashamed to tell people he was praying for them, and he also told him what the content was of his prayers!
Whether the people he prayed for were making spiritual progress or were a pain in the neck, he prayed with thanksgiving because He knew God’s grace could transform any person no matter how rough and tough and disobedient they were. Remember, you can’t leave a lasting mark on those you give up on!
When you pray with thanksgiving, you are acknowledging that God CAN do the seemingly impossible with impossible people and circumstances! In that respect, to pray with thanksgiving is to pray with great faith!
Paul prayed for the Ephesians in 1:15-19 to know Christ better, to know what God’s hopes and dreams were for them, and to know God’s power at work in their lives to safeguard their inheritance from Satan.
He prayed for the Philippians in 1:9-11 to live a life of increasing love (Love leaves a lasting mark! It never fails-I Cor. 13) and for them to grow in discernment. Why? You can’t do right without knowing right. Remember, Satan’s favorite color is gray. Pray to stay out of the gray areas!
His prayer for Philemon is in verse 6: “I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith . . .” The way to leave a lasting mark is to tell people about Jesus!
In addition to praying for physical, relational, financial, and emotional needs, pray for spiritual development in the lives of those around you! Those kinds of prayers, when the answers come, those will leave a lasting mark!
Let’s make our mark this week as we are at work, at school, at home, and at play!
Grateful for your partnership,
Pastor Melissa
