Don't Forget to Pray

Today’s reading: 2 Corinthians 1:1-11

"In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we learned not to rely on ourselves, but on God who can raise the dead." - 2 Corinthians 1:9

The Greek word that is used for "comfort" in our passage today is parakaleo. This is very similar to the term that's used to describe the Holy Spirit. It can also be translated as "to encourage" or "to urge" or "to cause someone to be consoled."

He gives them strong teaching about troubles and parakaleo-ing each other, and then in verses 8-11 he shows them how they helped save his life from afar. How did they do it? What was the great difference maker in bringing Paul comfort?

It was their prayers.

Paul really believed that his life was spared in Asia Minor because people in southern Greece were praying. He was "crushed" and "overwhelmed" and didn't think he would make it (verse 8).

Yet the church in Corinth prayed.

What differences will we make when we pray?

Never believe the lie that your prayers don't matter. They can make all the difference.

In 1914, Miriam Arnold wrote the following chorus to a beautiful hymn.  What a great reminder these words are!

O how praying rests the weary
Prayer can change your night to day
So, in sorrow and in gladness
Don't forget to pray