Strength for Today

I believe in the ministry of intercessory prayer. So did Paul. While he was in prison, he wrote to his friend Philemon. "But, meanwhile, prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted unto you" (Philemon 1:22). You talk about faith. Paul, in chains, writes to his friend and asks him to prepare the guest room for him! He had such great confidence in the prayers of Philemon that he said, "I trust that through your prayers I shall be released to you." Well, I am facing surgery on June 30 and I have the same confidence in your prayers. I know many of you are praying for me. This gives me great confidence. It is also a source of encouragment to me. Through your prayers I hope to come through just fine.

"But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you" (Philemon 22). In this little post card that Paul sends to his friend Philemon, the great apostle shows the faith he had in the prayers of his friend. Paul is in Rome, in prison, yet he boldly requests that his friend prepare a guest room for his arrival! He believed that through the prayers of Philemon the government of Rome would release him from prison! Not even Peter had such faith for Peter slept in prison while the church prayed (Acts 12:5, 6). But Paul is packing his bags in anticipation that God would hear and answer the prayer of Philemon. I wonder how many people are depending upon our prayers for release? Some may indeed be in prison but others may be in a state of discouragement or despair. They are counting on your prayers. Be faithful in your prayers. Pray with positive expectancy. Prepare that "guest room" for them, whatever form that "guest room" may take. Prayer is the greatest power in the world. Unleash it today! "Through your prayers" something truly amazing may happen today!