A Powerful Cord

For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. Philippians 1:19,20 (New American Standard Bible)

Ecclesiastes 4:12 says that a threefold cord is not quickly broken. I am seeing one of those “cords” in the words of Paul this morning. He is standing in confidence of having such strength. He is staking his very deliverance upon it. And what is Paul’s cord of three strands? The prayers of others, the provision of the Holy Spirit, and his personal expectation and hope of the answered prayers and working of that Spirit. How God desires for each of us to see the necessity and benefit of enlisting the prayers of others along side the work of His Spirit in our given situations. How He must delight to see our anticipation in what will come of it!

I am learning the power of prayers made on my behalf. A few weeks ago, in a study group, we were sharing prayer requests. For once, I felt an urge to share openly with the group a personal need of deliverance I had. I was struggling with the wrong perceptions of others and asked the women to pray that I would have victory in that area. Pray they did and those prayers were affective as the Holy Spirit worked in me.

An email from a friend last night included her requests for prayer in areas of her life. At the close, she asked how she could pray for me. A list spilled out of me! Specific requests. I have every confidence that she will in fact pray for me as I have already prayed for her this morning. I know the Spirit will work in both our situations.

God is developing in me the ability to not only request prayer but to stand in expectancy and hope of the answers to those prayers. As others pray for me and as I pray for others, God is working! My ears are beginning to perk up when someone tells me they have been praying for me. I am touched beyond words because I am now seeing the significance of that. Only Heaven will fully reveal the many who were part of a threefold cord of prayer in our life. I thank God for each of them this morning and I am asking Him to help me to be that more profoundly for others. For truly, “The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availed much” (James 5:16).

Father, I have often failed to see the power and privilege of prayer. Thank you for the ones who have modeled it for me. Instill within me a passion for prayer and a delight for seeing those prayers answered! Amen.

Spirit Song MV - Maranatha Singers (sung by Evie)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=KqkvIhs7Ijg

He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food. Job 36:16