Pray for Sufferers among us

by Larry Stout

All of us mess up from time to time. And often our messing up leaves messes that may take some time for us to clean up. This is often a painful and difficult process. But there are also other times when we find ourselves in troubles, fixes, problems, and such that were not of our own doing. They might be physical problems with our health, a job loss due to a company going under, a bad storm causing damages to our home, and a thousand other types of events that are all part of living in this world of ours.

When these times come upon us, we often wonder why? Is there something we could have done in the past that would have prevented this? Is God punishing us for something we should have or should not have done? We could go round and round with these questions, but better than asking, “why?” we should ask ourselves, “where.”  Where can we go for help, comfort, and support? When we are suffering, we should not suffer alone.  

At City Church, we have an active community of believers who recognize that our faith is in fellowship with other believers. The Apostle John outlined this organic unity in 1 John 1:3, “what we have seen and heard we also declare to you, so that you may also have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”

The biblical design for the church is not just Sunday morning services together, but a living, breathing fellowship of believers in Christ who genuinely love and care for one another, especially those who are the most hurting. 

So, our prayer for today is for us to encourage, support, and especially pray for those who we know are going through strenuous times. “For to this, you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” (1 Peter 2:21, ESV).