2 Corinthians 1:8-11 - “Through Your Prayers… and the Prayers of Many"

Forthe last few days, I have been asking for prayers for some 600 pastors in eastIndia that we partner with to take the gospel to every creature. InJanuary of this year, I met with 400 of these pastors and promised them I wouldfind at least one person in America to pray for them. I promised them that Iwould connect them with a believer, who loves the Lord, who believes that thegospel is what changes and transforms lives, to pray for them. I've been askingyou to join me in our India pastor's prayer team and be a part of a great workthat God is doing. If the Lord is speaking to your heart right now, pleasesimply email right now at: [email protected] Ilike what E.M. Bounds said. He said, "One cannot rightly call himself aChristian if he does not pray." Prayer and being a follower of JesusChrist go hand in hand. You cannot absolutely be the believer, and theChristian God wants you to be without prayer. It seems that many of our prayersare prayers that we just throw up thanking God for food, grandma, grandpa, momand dad and some of the people we work with. Then we pray desperately when weget in trouble or have a need. But the truth is Paul said, "Praywithout ceasing."  Now,Paul believed in prayer. Paul, as we pointed out yesterday, asked for prayersfor himself. He asked, "Please, please pray for me as I share the gospelthat I might be bold, that I might be courageous, that I might use the rightwords. That there will open doors and opportunities for me." These pastorsin India, are people like myself. I’m convinced, as a pastor, the only reasonI've made it is because people have prayed for me. My mother was a prayingwoman who prayed daily for me. I will never forget Henry Gold making thecommitment to pray for me as a pastor every day. From the day he was tragicallykilled in an accident, I felt like I lost one of my best friends, but I also losta prayer warrior who pleaded before the throne of God for us as we serve theLord in ministry.  Weneed your prayers. Pastors need your prayers. Everyone that the Holy Spirit ofGod puts in your heart and in your mind needs your prayers. Again I'm askingyou to take one of these pastors in your heart for prayer. I wanted to pointout a few more verses that the apostle Paul actually wrote in talking aboutpeople praying for him and the difference that it would make. And I would callthis devotion through your prayers and through the prayers of many.  Read2 Corinthians 1:8-11 again and notice how Paul faced death on several occasionsbut was delivered because, “You also joining in helping us through yourprayers so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for thefavor bestowed on us through the prayers of many”. And Paul wrote inPhilippians 1:19, “For I know that this will turn out for my deliverancethrough your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,  again thanking people my deliverance throughyour prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.” InPhilemon 1:22, Paul wrote: “At the same time prepare for me lodging for Ihope that through your prayers I will be given to you through your prayers.” Yes,my friend through your prayers these pastors in India will be able to survivethe hardship that they face. It is beyond our imagination the persecution theydeal with every day and the difficult field they work in sharing the gospel. Theyhave very little support in taking care of feeding their family and helpingprovide food for the  flock that God'sgiven to them. They often have very little education and only by God’s graceand God's wisdom are they able to preach a gospel message and teach the Bibleevery Sunday.  Theydesperately need your prayers. Would you join me? Write me an email at my emailaddress below and just say, "Pastor Mike, I'll be one of those that willpray with you for a pastor". [email protected]