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Paul reminded Timothy – his own son in the faith (I.Tim 1,2) – regardless of anything else to set priorities for a lively prayer
activity in the community. It is all about the ‘Breath of Faith’: the prayer, the communication, the dialogue with the Triune
God. Only through this can a Christian community survive. It is just like the human organism, breathing is a vital necessity.
Once the breathing stops due to a life- threatening incident, death is inevitable, if no appropriate action is applied. Our body
requires oxygenous air to keep the blood circulation and the organs intact for life to function.
A Christian community, even the whole church can only stay intact respectively keep functioning if a lively prayer life is in
place and being practised. Most of all it is salutary and vital for God’s people to breathe in ‘Divine Oxygen’ through the
prayer, so that their (ecclesiastical) blood circulation is pulsating and the organs (officers, helpers, community members) of
the Body of Christ are filled with Godly Life by the Holy Ghost. And that makes it wonderful, comforting and keeps us
strong in the faith when HE fills us with his life saving breath through His Spirit when we talk to God. Then our tired soul is
revived to new life. Just as a candle goes out without a supply of oxygen, it is just as likely that our light of faith will soon go
out (suffocate) when the breath of faith wanes or stops altogether. And sometimes as in the present we become very “short of
breath”. That is why the appeal of Apostle Paul regarding our Christian existence is of the highest priority to remain
unwavering in our prayers (Romans 12:12).
Almost everyone in our society has a mobile phone. But for some it is used to pass the time, a toy or has even become an
addiction. But the mobile phone should be a motivating reminder in regards to our prayers, in all places, at any time and in all
situations to connect with God, our Lord. And how and for whom shall I pray to God?:
– The first priority is to pray to the living God, to worship and praise HIM (Ps. 95:6)1 – To pray to God in a
thanksgiving prayer for all HE is giving us!
– To reveal to God all our concerns (problems, poverty, illness, unemployment etc.) and beseech and plead in a fervent
prayer.
– To pray to God for intercession (for members of the family, fellow men, strangers, non-believers, the persecuted, the
unpleasant and even for enemies etc.)!
– But also thanksgiving prayers for God’s help for others.
– Intercession for the own community, for the whole church and all of Christianity, some of which are suffering from
persecution worldwide!
– Intercession for the ungodly society!
– Intercession for the government, politicians and for the nation and fatherland!
– Intercession for the suffering creation which is longing for the manifestations of the sons of God! (Rom. 8:19)
– And intercession for true peace for this world which is shaken up by prevailing evil!
And if the Christian community tries to cultivate such a life of prayer, it will be good, truthful, and agreeable to God our
Saviour! The aim of the LORD our God is that all people get the help they need and that they will recognize the
understanding of truth (Verse 4).
When praying to God you should not forget that it should be done in the name of Jesus Christ because the Son of God with
His Father in heaven is the true mediator of our prayers (John 14:13).
It was and is surely an important commandment for all times to build a “prayer front” against the powers of darkness
because that is the only way to disarm Satan. That is the reason why Paul begged the brothers (and sisters) in his letter to the
Romans to support his fight in their prayers (Rom. 15:30).
The old saying “ora et labora” (pray and work) has not lost its relevance to the present. It should still be our beneficial life
motto. In all our prayers, intercessions, and supplications the request in our Lord’s prayer “Thy will be done” must remain
dominant to keep us from misinterpreting God the Almighty LORD not as some fulfiller of our wishes.
As Christians let us remain strong and persevere by “breathing in deeply” our faith and there will always be a happy and
thankful sigh of relief. And then, in the spirit of Paul, we will also be “real sons and daughters” in the faith.
Ready – let’s go: Oxygen” into the Lungs” and off to Work”!