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Be An Encourager

There are individuals who leave a lasting impact, offering more than just a positive outlook on life. It’s not about viewing life as a glass half full or making lemonade out of lemons. It’s about encountering someone who, with few words, guides you to what truly matters in the moment, leaving you not just with a smile but with a resilient spirit to face challenges.

In the Bible, we come across a figure named Tychicus. Although scant information is available about him, we know he traveled with Paul during his first imprisonment, proving to be a faithful minister (Ephesians 6:21). Inspired by Tychicus, I wrote a blog post titled ‘Be Like Tychicus,‘ exploring how we can strive to embody his qualities.

In Ephesians, Paul expresses his desire to send Tychicus back to the community to encourage their hearts (Eph 6:22). This phrase holds profound meaning, something that resonates with all Christians. Earlier in Ephesians, we are reminded to “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Eph 4:29).

The act of encouraging the heart transcends surface-level positivity; it delves into the core of a person, leaving a profound and lasting impact.

So, what does this kind of encouragement look like?

1) Being a Good Listener:

True encouragement involves meaningful conversation, and a skillful encourager excels at being a good listener. Listening is an active, not passive, endeavor. A genuine encourager attentively engages with their friend’s situation, offering a supportive presence.

A skilled listener exercises patience, refrains from hasty responses, and refrains from interrupting. They engage fully in the conversation, demonstrating empathy by genuinely aligning themselves with the other person’s experience and emotions.

2) Pointing Someone to Jesus

   In the context of Ephesians, the entire book emphasizes the greatness of Jesus. Following Paul’s exposition of profound truths to the church, it is fitting to have someone follow up and provide encouragement.

  •   We are reminded of the greatness of what Jesus did for us (Eph 1:19-20).
  •    We reflect on what we are saved from (Eph 2:1-10).
  •    We are guided towards understanding what we are saved to (Eph 2:11-22).

Pointing out Something Beautiful

The other day, while driving, my daughter eagerly sought everyone’s attention to witness a breathtaking sunset. Grateful that she did, we were treated to a spectacle of pinks and orange hues, creating a truly magnificent scene. It was a welcome diversion from our daily activities.

Similarly, when someone encourages you by pointing you to Jesus, they are redirecting your focus to the awe-inspiring love that He has for you. Just like the sunset captured our attention and filled us with wonder, being pointed to Jesus can be a transformative experience, drawing attention to the incredible love that surrounds and uplifts.

  • Welcoming Weary Souls (Matthew 11:28-30):

 When weariness weighs you down, find solace in Jesus. He extends a comforting invitation to experience true rest, providing respite for the soul (Matthew 11:28-30).

  • Enduring Struggles (Hebrews 13:5):

In times of struggle, reflect on the enduring love of Jesus. He bore the weight of the cross on our behalf, promising to never abandon us. Through every challenge, he remains steadfast, a constant presence that will never forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

  • Unconditional Love (Romans 5:8):

Jesus’s sacrifice transcends our worst moments, actions, or thoughts. Even in our lowest state, He chose to die for us. The gospel serves as a reminder of God’s unfathomable favor, showcasing His love for us when we least deserved it (Romans 5:8; Eph 2:4).

In the tapestry of life, woven with the threads of encouragement, we find the timeless wisdom of Tychicus and the profound teachings from Ephesians. The call to encourage one another, expressed by Paul, resonates as a guiding principle for all Christians. As we reflect on the art of encouraging the heart, we recognize the transformative power it holds—moving beyond mere positivity to a deep and lasting impact.

Being a good listener, exercising patience, and pointing others to the unfailing love of Jesus emerge as the brushstrokes that paint a portrait of genuine encouragement. In the symphony of life, each note played, inspired by the virtues of Tychicus and rooted in biblical truths, creates a melody that resonates with the divine grace and compassion we are called to share. May we be encouragers who not only leave smiles but imprint resilient spirits, mirroring the boundless love that captures our attention and fills us with wonder, much like a breathtaking sunset, to the profound love of Christ.

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Why Should I Ask For Prayer?

Last post was on how it is a joy to be able to pray for others. This post will focus on the other side of the same coin, asking others to pray for you.

Is it simpler to offer prayers for someone rather than seeking prayers for yourself? Perhaps there’s a hesitation, a concern of not wanting to burden others with personal issues. It could be a comparison, thinking one’s struggles aren’t as significant as others, leading to the decision to keep it to oneself. Alternatively, the reluctance might stem from a pride issue, a fear that asking for prayers may expose vulnerabilities and weaknesses in one’s life.

Here are some reminders on the importance of asking other believers to pray for you:

1. Humbling Recognition of Dependence:

Opening up to seek prayer is a humble acknowledgment that our strength and abilities are limited. As Paul encourages in Ephesians 6:10, our true strength comes from the Lord and His might.

These well-known verses from Proverbs serve as a powerful reminder of our dependence on the Lord, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

We must recognize that nothing occurs beyond the scope of God’s care and control. Turning to Him, we express our dependence and place our trust in His sovereignty.

2. Submission to God’s Authority:

Prayer is a powerful act of submission, recognizing that God is in charge. It’s a deliberate casting of ourselves before the Lord, surrendering our concerns and acknowledging His sovereignty. He who is charge of all things invites us to ask and seek him. When we ask other believers to pray for us, we are united in seeking God’s sovereignty. 

We ask others to help us to say, “Not my will but your will be done.”

3. Shared Burden-Bearing:

Asking fellow believers for prayer is not a solitary endeavor but a shared burden-bearing. It’s an invitation for others to join in carrying the weight, creating a supportive community in alignment with God’s design.

We are commanded as fellow believers to be fellow burden bearers (Galatians 6:2).

Asking other believers to pray for you gives them an opportunity share your burden and to experience joy in lifting you up before the Lord.

Prayer is like breathing for the Christian

Let’s remember, prayer isn’t just a ministry within the church; it is the lifeblood of the church itself. It should flow so naturally in the life of a Christian, akin to the instinctive act of breathing for a person.

If then it is natural or as I look at it as the outflowing of ABIDING with God then we will naturally pray for others.

Pastor Iain M. Duguid writes this in his book The Whole Armor of God, “If you think of praying in the Spirit at all times, with all kinds of prayers, persistently for all of the saints, as a job description (Eph 6:18), it will wear you out. But for us as children of the great King, it is simply living life in the presence of our king. It is lifting hearts and minds and voices regularly to him in petition and praise as the Spirit leads.”

As we embrace prayer not as a duty but as the natural outflow of abiding with God, it becomes an integral part of our daily lives, akin to living in the constant presence of our King. Pastor Iain M. Duguid beautifully captures this essence in his book, highlighting that praying in the Spirit is not a wearisome job description but, as children of the great King, it is simply living life in communion with Him – lifting hearts, minds, and voices regularly in petition and praise, guided by the Spirit.

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The Joy of Praying for Others

Christians can engage in actions that bring about joy in their lives. Among these, singing praises to God alongside fellow believers, finding encouragement in Scripture, and praying for one another stand out.

I have experienced moments of upliftment when a fellow Christian has earnestly prayed for me. Likewise, I find great fulfillment in the privilege of praying for others.

In the book of Ephesians, a portrayal of the spiritual warfare faced by Christians is vividly presented. The struggle is not merely against flesh and blood but against rulers, authorities, cosmic powers in this present darkness, and spiritual forces of evil in heavenly places (Eph 6:12).

Towards the culmination of Paul’s enumeration of the spiritual armor essential for the Christian’s battle, he emphasizes the importance of continuous prayer for one another. When Christians come together in prayer, a unifying and strengthening force is set into motion, fostering a sense of unity and mutual support.

The reason is that:

– We share a common adversary: the devil, whose intent is to kill, steal, and destroy, as stated in John 10:10.

– Our shared directive is clear: to fulfill the mission of making disciples worldwide, as outlined in Matthew 28:18-20.

– Employing the same strategies, our task is to proclaim the gospel. As fellow followers of Jesus, we are called to direct attention to Him, a purpose that perplexes the wise, as articulated in 1 Corinthians 1:27-31.

How Do We Do This?

In our shared calling and as comrades in the trenches of spiritual warfare, we face together, echoing Paul’s directive to “keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints” (Eph 6:18), find joy in lifting up prayers for your fellow saints who stand beside you in the midst of the battle.

By Name:

It’s indeed a special and meaningful practice to pray for fellow believers by name. Numerous approaches can enhance this experience, and one noteworthy method is maintaining a prayer journal. This personalized record allows you to list each person’s name and note specific prayer requests or updates as they arise.

In our church community, we’ve taken a collective initiative by creating a comprehensive prayer notebook. It encompasses the names of everyone in our church and the missionary families we support. This not only serves as a prompt for interceding on behalf of one another but also provides a dedicated space for me to jot down specific details about each individual, fostering a more intentional and heartfelt prayer life.

By praying specifically for fellow believers to thrive in their walks with Jesus:

When you pray for fellow believers, consider expanding beyond physical needs and specifics. Take inspiration from Paul’s profound prayer in Ephesians 3:16-19, asking that, according to the riches of God’s glory, they may be strengthened with power through the Spirit in their inner being. Pray that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith, rooting and grounding them in love. Ask for the strength to comprehend the vastness of God’s love and to be filled with all the fullness of God.

In essence, you’re praying for their spiritual growth and a deepening understanding of the profound love of Jesus. This prayer, with its richness and depth, can have far-reaching effects, influencing various facets of life that, in turn, impact the church and the broader community.

As we commit to fervent and intentional prayers for one another, may the transformative power of God’s love, as beautifully articulated by Paul, resonate in our lives, fostering spiritual growth and unity within our community of believers. You will find joy in this wonderful task of praying for others!