Prayer Partner, Forever Friends
Ever since I learned that the Old Testament was the picture of the New Testament, I have fallen in love with that part of the Bible and it has become an exciting adventure in learning more about our Almighty God.
One of my favorite parts is in Exodus 17:10-12 when Joshua was fighting with the Amalekites while Moses was on top of the hill with Aaron and Hur. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.
This is such a beautiful model of intercessory prayer. Moses, with hands lifted, is an image of praying. Lowering his hands because he was tired shows how we can get weary. Aaron and Hur holding up Moses’ hands is a picture of believers holding each other up in prayer.
As long as we are praying, we can have victory because Jesus is fighting for us. When we get tired or simply unable to pray, we know that we have our church family praying for us and with us.
“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
Matthew 18:19-20
We all have our prayer partners with whom we share a special bond. Brothers and sisters in Christ we trust to share not only our longings but our struggles as well. It is such comfort to have this promise from our Faithful God that He will be in our midst.
I remember times when I was just too distressed to pray. Times when my husband or one of my children suffered from illness. Times when my heart was broken over contempt and rebellion. Times when I was weighed down with hopelessness. It was during these times that the Lord showed me His loving kindness by revealing Himself to me through my church family who has never failed to pray for me and helped me carry my burdens.
Personally, I find it such a blessing to have a prayer partner, a wonderful friend of many years who was always available to pray with me no matter what time zone we are in. A sister in Christ who is sensitive to my struggles, with whom I can bare my soul to without fear of being judged, a true friend who always has a word of encouragement.
We will certainly see the Lord’s goodness even during the times when we are discouraged and distraught for the Lord displays His goodness in many ways sometimes, it is manifested through our brethren!
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2
– Rochelle Mendoza