American Reformation Church Prayer Journal 67
ARC Prayer Meeting:
This past week the message preached at the American Reformation Church was “Love bears all things.” God’s love and truth can bear the weight as we negotiate through the struggles of life. We learned God’s love is not flimsy or flaky. It can pass the test of time. Praise God!
How does this aspect of God’s love relate to our prayers and intercessions? There is much in every way. There is a firmness and enduring quality to God’s love. It emphasizes the importance of perseverance, compassion, and a willingness to support others, even through difficult times.
God’s word as well teaches the importance of prevailing prayer. Since God’s love is persevering and enduring, these attributes should inspire and inform our prayer life. Jesus taught that we ought always to pray and not lose heart. Since God does not give up on us, we should not give up on others in an easy and cavalier manner.
Since love bears all things, which offers support and compassion to those who are suffering, our prayers carry those concerns to God as we intercede. That does not mean we ignore John’s admonishment, “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18). It just means to be consistent, we lift up those who are in need and pray for God’s intervention to help them.
Since love bears all things, this includes dealing with the sins, shortcomings, and mistakes of ourselves and others. Prayer is the communication means whereby we seek God’s forgiveness. We ask God to forgive us when we fall short and help us to forgive others who have wronged us. We all need patience and understanding for those who are struggling, including ourselves. It is important to remember our Lord’s admonishment in Matthew 18:21, 22 in this regard.
Since God’s love bears all things, this means we seek God's will for our lives. We may not always understand why things happen the way they do to us or others, but we can trust that God is working for our good. In prayer, we can ask for guidance and discernment to understand God's plan and to trust in His timing. God’s Word promises, “All things work together for good…And nothing can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:28, 8:39)
Lastly, since love bears all things, this includes actively seeking God to meet the needs of others and praying for their well-being. This is what constitutes the heart of a true intercessor. A large part of their prayer life revolves around asking God to meet the needs of others, whether they are family, friends, or strangers.
Let’s continue to build these truths into our prayer lives.
