Rom 12:6,8 “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us… if it is encouraging, let him encourage…” NIV
One of the often forsaken gifts from the Holy Spirit is the gift of encouragement. In a world where depression and suicide is the norm, isn’t it interesting that one of the most neglected gifts from God’s Spirit is encouraging others. We all need encouragement from time to time, encouragement to persevere, encouragement to remain faithful, encouragement for a job well done thanks to the power of God’s love. When we receive emails at our ministry that are of an encouraging nature, there is great rejoicing. Why? Because we consider these encouragements as praises to the Lord! We are just the vessels that God is using to His glory. All glory belongs to Him! Hallelujah! This is why it is so important to take the time to encourage people around us and people who are doing the Lord’s work. Let us join the believers of the New Testament and Heb 3:13 “Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” NIV In the next few weeks, we will explore ways of how to encourage one another. Today we will explore the encouraging power of prayer. One effective way to be an encouragement to others is to pray for them. There is nothing dearer to my heart to hear someone caring enough for me to take the time to pray on my behalf. I feel covered by an invisible shield of God’s protection. Those prayers are such an encouragement to me! Eph 3:16-17 “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love.” NIV Were you aware that it could be a sin to fail to pray for others? Read on: 1 Sam 12:23 “As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you.” NIV Prayer is of such an importance in God’s eyes that He encourages us to James 5:16 “Pray for each other so that you may be healed.” NIV Prayer encourages the person you pray for. Prayer “heals” the person you pray for. How else could a person be blessed, but by the presence of God’s Holy Spirit! Last week (this was written in January of this year) when I went to church, I decided to keep my snow boots on, instead of wearing my dress shoes, as there was quite a lot of snow on the road. Whenever possible, I try to keep my feet dry! However in the middle of the praise service, our pastor called home group leaders to come up front to pray for those in need. I immediately told myself “Too bad I can’t go up front. I wouldn’t look great with those snow boots on!” As soon as I had uttered that thought, I felt someone was looking at me. To my horror I was being called to come up front. “Oh no! How can that be?” I went and stood like a clown among dignitaries, as all the others were well dressed with beautiful, shinny shoes. How embarrassing! Before long someone from the audience came up to me and asked me to pray for him. He needed healing from pain in his right knee. The Lord took over and before I was lifting my bother up in prayer. I will never forget the look of that brother after I had finished praying for him: he was radiating the peace and love of the Lord. That day I realized that it doesn’t matter what you look like or how you are dressed: prayer will bless and uplift. Prayer is of such an encouragement that people who are prayed for start to radiate the peace of God. Coming up in front of the church was well worth it, even if I was wearing show boots! Hallelujah! However, I don’t think I’ll wear snow boots to church again . . . Will you join me and encourage someone through prayer today? May I encourage you to do so daily and let the person your pray for know that you care enough to pray for him/her. Watch and see the encouragements pour into that person’s life. God is faithful! Hallelujah! In His love,Rob Chaffart
Answers2Prayer Ministries, www.Answers2Prayer.org
(To access the entire “Encouragement” mini-series, please click here.)