chrisa

Paul asks for prayer because he knew that prayer is an effective tool in reaching the heart of God. And that the more people are praying for a certain situation, the stronger those prayers will be. He, as a follower after Christ, had seen answers to prayer, and knew that the early church could only be strengthened by corporate intercession. The prayer chain in my church is known as a source of comfort and hope, and those who pray feel its power. I don't recall a specific event that convinced me of the power of prayer and the need to pray for family, friends and strangers - I just knew that it was something God required of me.

Q2. (2 Corinthians 1:9-10) How does facing a harrowing crisis help us grow in the Lord? How has a crisis helped your spiritual life? What is the value of learning not to rely on ourselves? What does this do to our pride? How does this improve our effectiveness as God’s servants? The Lord never said He would bear our burdens for us; but that He would be there to help us bear them. It's knowing that He is on my side that helps me get through tough stuff. And it's only when the crisis has passed that you can see that there may have been a purpose in it. I truly believe that God called me to salvation to give me the strength to support the rest of the (unsaved!) family when my grand-daughter died. While I was proud that He had chosen me for that task, I feel very humbled that He chooses to help me when I need Him. I know that I can't (and, thank God, don't have to) rely on my own strength, and that's something I can pass on to others. Reliance on His strength has drawn me closer to Him, and I'm getting even closer day by day.

I know that my daily strength comes from the Lord, and that I can lean upon Him in times of trouble. So many, many times He has held my head above the waters when I feel that I could go under. I talk to Him all the day; He is my silent listener, my courage, my inner peace. When others are angry, or upset, or grieving, my Lord is in the comfort that comes through the silence of just 'being there'. Sometimes, you don't have to say a word: God reaches out through your presence to touch and uphold the weary hearted.