Paul's Prayers, #7

7. He delivered us from so great a risk of death, and he will deliver us. We have set our hope on him that he will deliver us yet again, as you also join in helping us by prayer, so that many people may give thanks to God on our behalf for the gracious gift given to us through the help of many. (2 Cor. 1:10-11)

This is one of my favorite Scriptures on prayer. Paul doesn't so much ask Corinth for prayer as assume that they are praying. This is a significant change from his corrective attitude toward them in 1 Corinthians! This church has been transformed in many ways and is now one of the churches Paul can count on to be praying for him.

This passage is also precious in that we learn one of the reasons that God wants us to share prayer requests and unite in prayer together - because He gets more glory! Paul observes that the more people who are praying, the more thanks goes up to God when prayers are answered. That gratitude glorifies God and points others to Him!

How does this relate to becoming world Christians? None of us - missionaries included - should face challenging situations on our own. We should have the body of Christ behind us, at least in prayer and if possible in practical ways of helping. We should know when we pray for our missionaries, or they pray for us, that we are part of the same team for the same purpose. We need to realize that our prayers for deliverance will be answered "yet again" - in whatever way God knows is best. We need to realize that God wants us to pray united prayers for and with each other. And here is the power of united prayer: The more people who pray, the more glory God gets. So we should be praying united prayers for the nations and our missionaries and our churches and our kids. And we shouldn't hesitate to allow missionaries that same privilege for our needs!

Prayer: Lord, please make us people of prayer. Help us to grasp the significance and power of united prayer. Help us to focus on kingdom-oriented prayers so that all distractions are dealt with and we are free to prioritize your mission through the church to the world.