I Felt That!

Hey this is Jim Graham from the masculine dirty podcast where we explore relationship instead a religion every week their chosen Truth Network podcast is starting in just a few seconds to enjoy it, share it, but most of all, thank you for listening you for choosing The Truth Podcast Network.

This is the Truth Network encouraging prayer, God offers an open invitation for his people to talk with him at any time about anything encouraging prayer Dr. James Banks, author of the best-selling and many other books on prayer provides weekly biblical insight help you learn to love and now really so good to be back with all of you today for encouraging prayer.

James did you miss me you know I know Rachel did a great job putting up with me as well. You know where we were glad you're feeling better and we were really praying for you and Tammy a lot of us were yes why can't really thank you enough for that.

Because, you know, I will tell you Cova 19 is no fun whatsoever and I I really was kind of taken by surprise on how difficult it was, which no because of the difficulty of that I really could feel the prayers that I know are coming from our listeners and and from your church.

James yeah yeah you know that's the very thing to be talking about today to kiss many of us have had that same experience, where someone was praying for us and we could really feel it.

Let let's go there. What is that and and how does that work have a feeling the answers to those questions are to be really cool will.

Let's start with the word of God. There's there's an interesting passage in second Corinthians, where Paul talks about what happened on one of his missionary journeys because we were under great pressure far beyond her ability to endure so that we despaired of life itself. So it's really low and then he goes on. Indeed, we felt we received the scent of death but this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.

He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again on him. We set our hope that he will continue to deliver us and then he says as you help us by your prayers, then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us an answer the prayers of many, that in second Corinthians chapter 1 verses eight through 11 so when I read this. It's interesting that Paul's first thought as he talks about God delivering him to thank the Christians in Corinth for their prayers and especially that phrase as you daily help us by your prayers that really jumps out at me.

How would Paul know that they were daily, helping them with their prayers left he felt the difference that those prayers made for him every day. That's up to full insight change so you think are mainly aware of others praying for us when were going through a difficult time. This is supplied.

Other times as well, but I do think Robbie that were going through a hard time were more to again because we realize how much we need God. How hundred and we are on him for everything and and because of that him how much we need prayer. But really this could happen at any time there been so many times as a pastor when I felt that others have my back with prayer and it made such a difference in what I was doing.

You know what I was preaching or counseling or anything else and I I think what CH Spurgeon said to his church members. One time he said if you don't pray for me. If you don't help me by your prayers. What would become of me so scripturally. This also makes you think about it God's Word tells us were all part of one body, and you could liken the Holy Spirit to be electrical impulses that move through her body neurologically right in one sense, so simply put, what happens in one place affects another in a hokey unit. Your thumb and you feel it all over. I don't think it's far-fetched or overly emotional to say we feel others prayers in in the spirit, if you will it it's again just another indication of the Holy Spirit at work within us, to think this is also a great reason to have prayer partners. I really do and we shouldn't be shy when were asking for prayers.

We should be shy and offering them either you got God loves it when we comfort others. That way we were just in the first chapter 2nd Corinthians. A moment ago and and that begins with these words. Praise be to the godfather of our Lord Jesus Christ, father compassion, the God of all comfort comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God, so why shouldn't that comfort extend through the prayers that we offer each other as well. Again, I just think this is something that the Spirit is at work in our I think you're really really something here, James, and it's interesting that this is something some many of us experienced. I will talk about it much but I'm really glad that we are absolutely and in well okay you know were always so quick to point out that our faith is not dependent on feelings which is true but maybe were so quick to point that out that sometimes we neglect another treatment that when God's Spirit is doing a work in us.

It can affect us on any level you can work in all of us, including our feelings as well. So it's not like they're off limits and it it's helpful to remember that Scripture tells us in verse 2214 that some things are discerned only through the spirit they may sound like foolishness to others. So I think this is really likely one of those areas, but the point of all this is just that our prayers matter so much for our prayers for each other and I think this is one of those ways that God shows us how much they do by connecting us when we pray for each other in in yet another way and that's cool and you're right, we can always feel it. For example, we may not know exactly what time someone is playing.

Or maybe, do not praying at all. Right we we may not know at all. So if they are praying for us but but again the important thing is just were doing it and as we continue praying. I think that will encounter this again and again and I know I certainly have, haven't you know I have additional right.

This is part of unity as believers you know I'm so thankful for me to and I think that the again. The more we do this more will see what a gift Prairie is robbing me now how God has blessed us in so many ways with it and how we binds us together even in love and you know it through the power of his spirit in this. So let's wrap up this time by by asking God to help us live there more more or less. Let's pray thank you for this privilege. Thank you for bonds of love that you give us as we pray, help us to know this more help us to just again lived there. More especially, just fields upon you have given us. We know our faith is feelings. We also want to thank you for hear more from Pastor James by visiting the website James Banks.org or by visiting these church in Durham, North Carolina. May God bless you and encourage you to pray. This is the Truth Network