Prayer Partners
2 Corinthians 4:7-10 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed– 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
Oh how I wish this ministry was a journal sometimes; how I could pour out the details of my struggles here; but it is not to draw attention to me, it is to point you to God. In all of these trials I face, I only seek to show you that I am no different from you; I only seek to show you where my strength to endure them is found. Currently the enemy is in full assault; I am in physical pain, and being hammered with fear and doubt. I am struggling with prayer, and leaning on those close to me as intercessors for me to God. It is times like these that it is critical who you surround yourself with. Can you truly count on them to pray for you? Can they truly count on you to pray for them? When you struggle with words, you must possess and confide in friends that will lift you up to God; there is great power in those prayers.
I must borrow the commentary from my favorite study Bible on this scripture. “Hard pressed is translated ‘afflicted’ in 1:6. In the Greek text, and identical expression occurs in 7:5, where it is rendered ‘troubled on every side’. But in 7:5 Paul adds, ‘Outside were afflictions, inside were fears.’ Perplexed is derived from two Greek words: the word for no plus the word for way. Thus perplexed means ‘to be at a loss’. As believers, we will face trials. But we must remember that God controls trials and uses them to strengthen His people. God’s glory is manifested through broken vessels, through people who endure troubles by relying on His power.” If we were simply passing through life trouble free, where would we ever come to know God? It is in these times of trouble that we come to realize our need for Him.
It always bothers me when I struggle with prayer. Sometimes I just can’t seem to speak; the thoughts in my head get jumbled before they make it to my mouth. I stumble through repetitions that have no heart in them; they come from old habit. I am not an eloquent prayer person with all the “thou art” that seek to impress. I simply talk to God, and love talking to Him. I give Him the highest respect and reverent awe and fear that He deserves. I must know that in the times such as these trials, I have intercessors both as friends, and the Spirit living inside of me. He is with me, uttering the words when I cannot. Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Relying on faith and understand of God’s Sovereignty, and the knowledge of heavenly and earthy prayer partners is what brings us through the tough times in life.
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