Helping in prayer

For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia:that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many. - 2 Corinthians 1.8-11

Paul continues on to talk ahoy the troubles they had been through. Things had been tough for Paul and the team. He said that the burdens they had been through in Asia were burdens beyond measure. The burdens were so heavy that it was more than their strength could bear. They despaired even of their lives. They were under the death penalty. They had no strength to trust in themselves.

But God had delivered them. They were trusting God to keep on delivering them.

But the Corinthians also had played a part. They helped in their prayers.

We can sort of get caught in a trap of thinking that prayer is not really doing all that much. Have you ever heard the little phrase 'well, There's not much I can do,  but I can pray' or something similar? I know I have heard it and even said it.

Now, I understand the meaning, and am not putting that down, but 'only praying' is much more than just 'all I can do.'

Prayer is that great, often untapped resource that most of us use far too seldom. The theme of prayer is a dominate one in the word of God. Pray without ceasing. Pray in the Holy Spirit. In everything by prayer and thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Prayers are a help. They are a gift.

Let’s be sure we never relegate prayer an ‘only praying/ status. It is a vital work, if not the most vital work, a Christian can do.