A Prayer for the Gift of Fellow Believers When We Need Encouragement - Your Daily Prayer - January 18
January 18, 2025
A Prayer for the Gift of Fellow Believers When We Need Encouragement
By Laura Bailey
Bible Reading: "I thank my God every time I remember you.” – Philippians 1:3 NIV
Listen or Read Below:
I plopped down on the sofa. It had been one of those days. You know, where if something could go wrong, it would.
I spilled coffee on my shirt and didn’t have time to go home and change it between meetings.
My husband called while I was working and told me we needed to schedule a plumber; he couldn’t fix our clogged sink.
A friend texted that she couldn’t volunteer at the school event after all, so I would need to find someone else to cover.
No, nothing life-changing. Indeed, it was not catastrophic news that filled my brain, but what felt like a thousand tiny pricks that left me physically exhausted and emotionally depleted. Eventually, I remembered I needed to send the money for my daughter’s field trip; I reluctantly slinked off the couch and headed over to my desk.
As I rummaged through the desk drawers, looking for a pen and making a mental note to add cleaning out the junk drawer to my to-do list, I came across an old card from a friend. Tempted to get a head start on my cleaning, I put the card and some other miscellaneous papers in the trash. But, before I did, I read over the words penned by a sweet sister in Christ.
“I hope you have a great week. I know things have been a bit chaotic, but I love you, and thank God every time I remember you” (Phil 1:3). Her words, penned almost a year prior, were an encouragement then and today. I couldn’t help but chuckle as I tried to recall the circumstances which prompted her words of encouragement—it seemed like it was a message I needed to hear regularly.
The truth is it doesn’t matter our current circumstances; we all need encouragement. What a blessing my friend is, not just to me but also to others in our community and church, when she sends smiles through snail mail.
I think about Paul’s letters to the churches and his words' impact on the original audience and those of us today. And to think that often, Paul was writing from a prison cell, recovering from human-inflicted wounds, and in dire circumstances. Yet, even in his darkest moments, he wrote words of admonishment and encouragement to his brothers and sisters in Christ.
In Paul's letters, Thanksgiving and encouragement were common themes; we see a similar greeting in many epistles. Paul was grateful for the church of Philippi because they were partners and supporters of his ministry, both in his presence and absence. Even though Paul’s life was filled with trials and tribulations, he remembered his fellow saints, both near and far and was encouraged knowing they were united in the gospel.
Hebrews 3:13 reminds us to “encourage one another daily.” Why? Because we need it! We are just like the stiff-necked Israelites of old. We are easily distracted, and our hearts are often divided. Scripture commands us to engage in corporate worship and commune with the saints. Our collective faith encourages, equips, and incites us to stay firm in our faith.
If the Lord places someone on your heart, if you find a friend, family member, or neighbor lingering on your mind, perhaps it would be beneficial to jot them a note, shoot them a text, or invite them to coffee and let them know how grateful you are for them! What a blessing from a loving God that we can encourage and build up the body of believers. Don’t delay; start today!
Let’s Pray:
Heavenly Father, thank you for our brothers and sisters in Christ near and far. We are so thankful that you gave us a faith- family to encourage, strengthen, and walk beside us in our Christian walk.
Might we be the source of encouragement for others, leaning into your spiritual prompting to lift others. Bring to our minds your sons and daughters who need encouragement. For those who come to mind at this very moment, we pray they would know your kindness to them in whatever circumstances they are facing. Help us have the boldness to let others know we are thinking of them and praying for them. We are eternally grateful for the gift of salvation through your son, Jesus Christ. Let us live in a way that points others to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Photo Credit: ©Sparrowstock
She lives in Upstate South Carolina with her husband and three young girls, where she serves as director of women's ministries at her church. Her passion is teaching the Bible to women, equipping them to live with an eternal perspective. Invite Laura to speak at your next event or learn more: www.LauraRBailey.com
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