21 Day Challenge

Read Ephesians 6:18

I’ll never forget my first day full-time at Grace Church.  Emotions were running high:  excitement, insecurity… the works.  I had no idea what I had gotten myself into. My first email was from Pastor Nick, and had a solid 30 ‘tasks’ to complete that week for High School Ministry. I had just come off an internship the summer prior so how we communicated tasks was nothing new, but the types of tasks were new, and several were well beyond my comfort zone. The second email I had was from someone in our church welcoming me to the staff, but instead of the typical, “I’m praying for you!” she actually wrote out a prayer for me as I started this adventure. I wish I could explain the weight that was lifted and the encouragement that I experienced just from these simple written words.

This verse from Ephesians reminds me of her and the impact that she and her prayers have made in my life,

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians 6:18

As many of you know, the second section of Ephesians 6 talks about putting on the full armor of God, verse 18 follows the description and importance of each piece of armor.  Paul writes to us and reminds us that not only do we need to be prepared clothing ourselves with his armor but then says,

AND pray…”  Let’s not forget to pray on all occasions for all the Lord’s people today.

If we each took this seriously today and faithfully prayed for someone, can you imagine the power our words could have?  They could change somebody’s life.  They could change somebody’s outlook on the day, just like the email I received 8 years ago changed my perspective for that day and so many more in the future.  That email is still filed away in my inbox, and her words still speak powerfully to me the hope and encouragement I can find in Jesus.

Rachel Snyder