Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
Prayer and Burdens: Share the Wealth.
As I write this, my father is in the process of undergoing a major surgical procedure. I have called upon many friends and family members to hold him up in their prayers during this time (as well as prior to and after the procedure). They are doing so and are offering me words of encouragement, even as I write this. I am reminded of Galatians 6:2 where Paul states: “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” We are not to endure the trials of life alone; as believers, we are part of the Body of Christ, and He is the head. We are more than a community, we are one in the Lord. We are called to go through this life together.
I know that when I am called upon to offer prayer up for someone, and/or help them in other ways, while they are enduring any sort of trial, I count it as a privilege and I am blessed by it in so many ways. God is of course by Himself capable of handling anything, to say the least, however we are His children. As with my own children, I don’t always need them to help me, and it may even take more time and effort on my part to have them help me (this is of course especially true when children are younger), but I want them to be included, and I delight in their eager participation. Not only that, but they benefit from it in numerous ways. I believe that that prayer and other service to God of any sort, is much like this; God allows us; His children, to participate in His work, and He is blessed by it, and He blesses us by it and for doing it.
Paul states in Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” God is of course going to bless us through our trials, as we seek Him. Please share the good; the blessing, by letting others in on it; ask them to pray for you, let them cook you a meal, whatever the situation may call for. We aren’t supposed to bear our burdens alone and we are not supposed to keep our blessings to ourselves. Let us together act as a healthy body, exulting our head, and holding Him up high.
JJR