Pray in Community - Crosswalk Couples Devotional - July 16
Pray in Community
By Michelle Lazurek
“Brothers and sisters, pray for us.” 1 Thessalonians 5:25
Throughout our years in ministry, we have received many blessings from the churches we have pastored. We received food, gifts, gift cards, and extra money during the holiday season. But the thing we've coveted and appreciated the most is the prayers.
One time we appreciated the prayers the most was right before COVID. I began a battle with anxiety that became difficult to overcome on my own. My church poured out their love to me in cards, texts, flowers, and prayers when they found out I was ill. There was very little judgment, which I was afraid of. I had to take some weeks off from church to care for myself. This health crisis took a toll on every part of my life, including my marriage. We didn't know what the future held, or whether I'd be able to function normally. However, God, in his faithfulness, provided a local church body to help me through this difficult situation. I’m forever grateful to my local church, which not only provided for my family during this difficult time but, most importantly, kept me in their prayers until healing took place.
Life is much more difficult when we isolate ourselves from others in our community. During my health concerns, members of my local church flooded my family with tokens of love to demonstrate their love and support. Who can you lean on for support when your life is at its darkest?
Marriage has its share of difficulties. Not only is it important for a couple to lean on each other during difficult times, but they also need a church body to lean on. It is important for a church body to be there to encourage them in good times, but also to pray for them during the most difficult times. Every married couple needs a local church body that will surround them in prayer and simply uphold them during difficult times, without judgment. The couple should be able to have people to go to when they need to talk about a situation in their marriage or even if they have an unspoken prayer request.
Paul understood this in his letter to the Thessalonian church. This six-word verse packed a punch in underscoring the importance of the church not only to Paul’s personal life but also to his ministry. Paul understood that it was important for people to pray for him so that not only could the gospel be preached, but also that he could accomplish the work without fear of persecution. This verse comes only a few verses from verse 17, which says to “pray continually.” In the same way, in marriage, couples should pray continuously for one another; they also need to pray for the body of believers. In the same way, couples need a local body that can pray for them without fear of judgment or of their privacy being violated.
Do you and your spouse have a local body of believers who will pray for you during difficult times? Will these people offer wise counsel in situations where you need a bit of discernment or wisdom? Whether a couple has been married for a long time or a short time, every person needs a body of believers who have the spiritual gifts of wisdom and discernment to help them get through difficult times.
Get connected to a local church body. Surround yourself with older brothers and sisters in Christ who can offer you discernment and wisdom when necessary. Life is difficult enough to go through alone. God never wants us to be alone; rather, he wants us to be in community with others. Just as it's important to pray for those inside and outside the church, it is also important to know that you have people who are praying for you.
Father, surround your people with a body of believers. Allow them to know they are prayed for. Help them to understand the importance of prayer in a good marriage. It's important for people to have a circle of friends that can pray for them, both in good times and in bad. Help every married couple know that not only should they have people praying for them, but they should also be praying for others. Amen.
Photo Credit: thinkstockphotos
Related Resource: Why Couples Drift and How to Reverse It
What happens when a marriage starts drifting apart — and one or both spouses wonder if it’s even possible to reconnect? If you’ve ever felt discouraged, lonely, unseen, or unsure whether your marriage can recover, this conversation offers practical wisdom and genuine hope.
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