Prayer Journal
Monday, August 5, 2002
"For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith." 1 Thessalonians 3:5
"Curiosity killed the cat," they say. Well, sometimes curiosity is too much to handle; a point where waiting gives way to curiosity. Even though we hope we hope for the best, we just can't stand it any longer; we must ask questions and find out for sure.
Paul longed to see his friends in Thessalonica but found it necessary to remain in Athens and continue his ministry. So he sent Timothy in his place to strengthen and encourage the believers in the field. No doubt, he prayed continually for his friends and their ministers.
After some time had passed without receiving a status report, Paul wrote to find out how things were going. You can be sure that new or changing circumstances in Thessalonica's situation would give Paul specific details to include in his ongoing prayerful intercession. This example illustrates a basic tenet of prayer. Here's what I mean:
How many times have you prayed for something or someone yet never inquired one time as to what was happening as a result of your prayer? For example, if you are asked to pray for a specific need in someone's life, isn't it only natural to ask periodically if the need has been met?
There are at least two reasons why we don't seek prayer updates from those for whom we pray:
- we don't really expect to see an answer to our prayer or
- we don't care about some who request our prayer.
Sad but true, some of us view praying for others as a Christian duty. But, I'm afraid in reality that our failure to seek periodic updates from those for whom we pray reveals that one of the two things above is true in our life.
Just Thinkin'... WebServant
Scripture comes
from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International
Bible Society
Copyright © 1998-2002
James R. Green and Prayertower Ministries - All Rights Reserved
I'll pray today for...
* My spouse
* My children
* Their friends
* My friends
* My employer
* My city
* My country
* Civic leaders
* Schools
* Teachers
* The sick
* The lost
* Those in despair
* The hospitalized
* The grieving
* Widows
* Orphans
* My church
* My pastor
* Church leaders
* Other churches
* Persecuted church
* Missionaries
* Myself
