E-MAIL PRAYER

E-MAIL PRAYER

READ:
Ephesians 1:15-23

[I] do not cease to give thanks
for you, making mention of you
in my prayers. -Ephesians 1:16

Not long ago, a friend of mine was facing surgery.  Two disks in his back and a detached Achilles tendon were creating a lot of pain.  After assuring him of my prayers, I was struck with the idea of sending him something in writing to further encourage him.  So I sent the following e-mail.

"This is what I prayed for you today, 'Living God, I thank You for Your sovereign control over life's events.  On behalf of Your dear servant, I ask that You would give him deep peace.  I pray for the physicians as they apply their medical skills, that You would give them excellent results.  May Your healing hand touch him and bring him back into full service for You.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.'"

The apostle Paul wrote prayers to encourage other believers (Philippians 1:9-11; Colossians 1:9-12; 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12).  He wrote to the Ephesians:  "[I] do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:  that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him" ((1:16-17).

Do you have friends or family members who need your prayers of encouragement right now?  Besides letting them know that you're praying for them, try sending a written prayer as well. -Dennis Fisher

Lord, help us be encouragers
By praying for our friends in need;
And give us opportunities
To show them love in word and deed. -Sper
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Praying for others is a privilege-and a responsibility.

INSIGHT
The church at Ephesus was one of the leading churches of the first century-the fruit of 3 years of ministry (Acts 20:31) on Paul's final missionary journey.  At the end of that trip, the apostle had an extended meeting at Miletus with the elders of the Ephesian church to instruct them in ministry (vv. 17-38).  The meeting ended with the emotional parting of Paul and his friends as he left for Jerusalem and ultimately Rome.

Have a blessed day.
God Our Creator's Love Always.
Unity & Peace