Have you ever wondered what that really means? Paul is giving some of his final, most personal advice to a young man in whose life he had invested. Paul wanted Timothy to remember the importance of praying for one another. But he doesn't just remind Timothy to pray. Paul knew there will be times of interceding-- pleading on behalf of another person.
But I fear that we as believers have walled up our hearts from our brothers and sisters-- we are afraid to share our deepest burdens, troubles, temptation, struggles, grief. But that, my sweet friend, is a wile of the devil. If the Evil One can keep us from praying for each other-- from pleading before the throne of the God of Heaven-- he limits us. Drastically.
However, I want to tell you about a lesson I learned from my sweet ones.
There are several times throughout the day that our family takes the opportunity to pray together-- breakfast, on the way to school, during a difficult situation, family devotions, bedtime. I don't share that as a form of any boasting, just to let you know that I'm a little embarrassed that it's taken me this long to learn this lesson.
Do you know what I have learned?
Do you know what my babies do?
My sweet ones intercede for each other. For me. For my husband. For their friends. And you know what? They are sincere. And direct! I was struck with this profound biblical mandate that these little babes were innocently fulfilling-- and I was even more struck by the grace with which the other ACCEPTED that intercession. Neither child was even remotely offended as the other approached the throne of grace (the throne of what? The throne of GRACE. But that's another post for another time.) My sweet Ellie Rose very directly begged the Lord to help her big brother at school, sincerely implored the God of heaven that her beloved Daniel have the strength to do what is right. And my Daniel prayed that Mama would use kind, strong words. That she would be a sunbeam for Jesus.
And the prayers went on. They prayed for family members, church members, and classmates. They pleaded for specific struggles of others.
As Paul commanded of Timothy.
And you.
And me.
I am so thankful that my children have not yet learned that they are supposed to be embarrassed by their weaknesses and are supposed to carry their burdens all by themselves. Or even more tragically, that they are supposed to just pray for each other "secretly"-- never acknowledging that there is a weakness, a sin problem in the life of those they love.
I am thankful that they are moved with compassion and PRAY.
For each other.
