Today’s Readings:
Colossians 1:1-8
Psalm 52:10-11
Luke 4:38-44
I had a dream some time ago in which someone I know died. Dreams do not hold so much meaning for me. But if I remember the dream when I wake up, I say a prayer for whoever it was about, handing them over to God and praying that evil is averted in their lives. This should be normal for every Christian because we are all united in Christ. Before we go any further let us say a prayer for our friends and feel free to share this reflection with them: God our heavenly Father, Giver of all good things, it has pleased You to place certain people in my life as my family and friends. I place them in your protecting arms. Watch over them this day. Keep them safe from all harm to mind, soul and body. Help them to recognize your presence and raise a word of prayer to You each day. Bless the work of their hands and crown all their efforts with success and preserve them for eternal life, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
If you said this prayer sincerely, then you are a great and one-of-a-kind friend. Today’s readings encourage us to be supportive of those we call friends, especially by commending them to divine protection. Saint Paul says to the Christians in Colosse: “We have never failed to remember you in our prayers and to give thanks for you to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ever since we heard about your faith in Christ Jesus and the love that you show towards all the saints because of the hope which is stored up for you in heaven.”
In the Gospel, Jesus heals Simon Peter’s mother and those who witnessed this miracle went and brought their friends to Jesus: “At sunset all those who had friends suffering from diseases of one kind or another brought them to him, and laying his hands on each he cured them.” O how wonderful to know that others have your back! If others must be there for you, you too ought to become the kind of friend you wish to have.
Here are some benefits of praying for others:
You place them in God’s hands
You do for them something that only a true friend can do.
When we pray for others, we join the divine ministry of reconciling people to God (1 Corinthians 5; 2 Tim 2:3,4)
God answers when we pray for others
When we pray for others, we lessen their burdens.
When we pray for others, we emulate Jesus who always spent time alone praying for us and is now sitting at God’s right-hand interceding for us.
You grow in genuine love for others since it is impossible to pray for those you hate or hate those you pray for.
You grow in compassion and forgiveness as we pray for others.
When we pray for others, we learn to trust God.
Praying for others glorifies God.
Your prayer serves as a shield of protection over those you care for.
You in turn enjoy the prayers and good will of others.
Your prayer contributes to the spiritual and temporal well-being of our world.
JUDE-MARY OWOH
Prayer:
Lord, You have been our dwelling place in ail generations. Before the mountains were brought forth.
Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.
We pull down the stronghold of every spirit holding the souls of men and women in captivity and smash it against the rock of our salvation, in Jesus name.
Lord uphold Christian families with your mighty power; strengthen them to be able to stand up to their responsibilities as of the Lord in bringing up their children in the way of the Lord, in Jesus name.
Lord strengthen Your Church to be able to fight the battle of faith with all the might You supply, in Jesus name.
Father Lord, by your mighty power, uproot and let your fire consume every satanic tree in our nation, in Jesus name.
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