Standing Together
"Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me."
Romans 15:30 (NLT)
Years ago, I was very nervous about speaking to a group of women and men leaders in our church. I had written a manual for leaders of Life Groups/Home Groups, and I was presenting it. This was my first time speaking to associate pastors of each department in a large church. Some of the men were speakers themselves, and some had written books. It would be a difficult audience, as I knew a few of the men would judge me for teaching them as a woman.
I had spent all morning going over my presentation. Usually, I am nervous before speaking, but not like this. I remember Beth Moore, a renowned speaker, saying she was nervous every time she spoke to large audiences of both men and women. Yet when she walked onto the stage, the nerves left, and the Holy Spirit took over. I can usually tell myself, "The Holy Spirit will take over," and the nerves subside.
The day before, while I was rehearsing my presentation, I received a text: "Hey friend, I felt the Lord leading me to pray for you and cover you in prayer tomorrow." The next morning, a fellow women's pastor said to me, "The Lord laid you on my heart. I have been praying for you since early this morning."
That morning, the enemy was having a heyday sending thoughts into my mind: "The men are going to resent you teaching them." "There are people in this group who have theology degrees and speak all the time." "They are going to judge you."
When I received my friends' messages, my mind relaxed because I knew they had locked arms with me in prayer. I was able to combat the enemy. Those two women, urged by the Lord to pray for me, spoke powerful prayers on my behalf. The Lord wanted me to know they were battling the enemy together with me.
Afterward, some of the men walked over and said it was a great presentation. They wanted the manual and would use it for the men they lead. One executive pastor made a point of coming to my office to tell me how impressed he was. God did over and above all that I could have imagined.
Paul wrote, "Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me" (Romans 15:30 NLT). The Greek word Paul used for struggle is sunagonizomai, which means "to struggle in company of, to be a partner or assistant, to strive together with."
When someone tells you they are going to pray for you, consider it an honor that you won't be struggling alone. Those who earnestly pray for you are putting on the armor of God and standing beside you with the shield of faith hooked to your shield. Roman soldiers never fought alone for this very reason—shield locked to shield, they formed a wall no arrow could pierce, and the one in the middle was covered by the ones beside him.
As believers, we need to understand that it is not nice platitudes or a pat on the back that help—"I am thinking of you" or "I'm sending positive thoughts your way"—but standing with a shield in prayer. Most people who say these things mean well. They care, and they simply don't know what else to offer. But those statements don't embolden a person. I've had those things said to me, and the words went flat. You can think of me or send positive thoughts, but I want God to handle whatever I am dealing with. Please stand and pray with me.
When we commit to pray, we are "struggling" and agreeing in faith through prayer. Alone, the battle is more difficult, but with others, we are building a wall of defense against the enemy's wiles. It is important to have people in our lives who will stand strongly with us.
When asked to pray, are we willing to take up the struggle and fight alongside them in the battle? It doesn't have to be a huge problem to you, but it may be huge to them. Be sensitive and don't judge.
Having committed, prayerful friends who hear, pray, and respond to the Lord provides comfort. I appreciated the text and the words, "I am praying for you." It encouraged me. When the Lord speaks to or nudges us, He desires that we be open and pray with others. It is important to Him and to us. By being obedient, we are blessed to be used, and He will trust us with more. No more platitudes—only heartfelt prayers. Who is God nudging you to pray for today?
Let's pray:
Lord, nudge me when I am to partner with someone in prayer as they struggle. I want to lock my shield with theirs in faith and do battle. I want to commit to prayer when You ask or when that person asks, and not speak platitudes. Help me to be obedient and call or text when You place a person on my heart. If You nudge me or speak in my spirit, I need to respond. Thank You for every opportunity to serve as Your conduit and be a spiritual warrior. Praising You always, Amen
