Well the next verse in Philippians 4 is vs 5 but I wasn't sure how this might apply to us so I was going to skip it…it didn't feel right.
So I looked at this verse a little closer and realized as people committed to
pray for others especially if we are part of a prayer team, this verse can
definitely apply to us. Prayer requests come from people and people can
sometimes get on our nerves especially if they have the same prayer requests
over and over again and appear to make no changes. We can very easily get
annoyed and impatient with people and their requests for help. We can even fall into
comparing their lives and requests to our own. We are not immune to troubles
and needs in our own lives and if someone is struggling with a situation that
you would be blessed to have to deal with compared to your own struggles, we
can develop the wrong attitude. So are you getting this or am I just rambling?
Remember that Paul started this chapter encouraging the
Philippians to pray for two women that were arguing. Okay I’m a woman so I have
a bit more freedom here but some women can always be arguing and being unkind
to each other! Can you imagine the chaos these women were causing and now Paul
was asking the church to pray for them and the situation? Now…
Philippians 4:5 “Let your
gentleness (moderation, restraint, or patience) be evident to all. The Lord is near.”
We have just entered the throne room of the Most High God on
behave of those who have asked us to pray. We have rejoiced over who He is. Now
we come with those requests. We must come with gentleness of spirit, restraint
of personal feelings and patience that Jesus Himself has generously bestowed on
us. These character traits must be evident to all as we pray and minister to others.
The best part of this sometimes difficult instruction is the
last part of the verse – “the Lord is near.” As always Jesus never asks us to
do anything that He does not already provide the power to do. Gentleness,
moderation, restraint and patience are not always
easy but fear not, worry not, despair not! Jesus
is near. He is our ever present help in time of need, even if the help
needed is in praying for others in a way that brings Him honor and is a
blessing to those near us and those needing prayer.
What a wonderful God we serve! Thank You Jesus for Your
never ending grace and love towards us. We are a blessed people!
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