Praying 2nd Corinthians RW

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Praying Scripture:
2nd Corinthians, Chapter 1

Comfort

Father God, thank you for the grace and peace you and our Lord Jesus Christ give us. You are the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, encouragement, and help. Thank you that your plan for us includes mercy and compassion. When I'm troubled, when things distress me, in all my problems, it's YOU I come to for the mercy and forgiveness you give me, and for Your comfort. Your word comforts me.

Thank you that your way of dealing with my troubles is to be my way of dealing with the trouble other people have. What You have used to comfort me - - Your word, Your forgiveness, Your direction - - remains with me, so I can comfort any one who is in trouble, with Your word, forgiveness, and guidance, too.

Thank you that these gifts I receive from the Comforter, I can pass on to others. (1:1-4)
Amen.

Suffering

Father, You planned that what Jesus suffered, we would also suffer, because You planned that what comforted Him would comfort us, too. You are the key to our comfort, our hope, our very lives.

I don't ask You to keep suffering from me and my church and loved ones elsewhere. I know that Paul, who wrote this letter of 2 Corinthians, was often distressed as he spread Your word to more and more people. But he knew that You would use his suffering for consolation and salvation - for himself, for Corinthian believers, and for believers today, reading his letters. Thank you, Father, that we still share in Christ's sufferings and in Paul's. The comfort You gave Paul consols and saves me as I hear him tell of what You've given him in trouble. You've promised to console those of us who take on the sufferings Christ left for us to share.

Thank you Lord that it's true: Your comfort is unique. Your promise to us isn't a life of ease and peace but, much as a body builder painfully exercises to strengthen his muscles, of patience and endurance. With the psalmist we know: "My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise renews my life. The arrogant mock me without restraint, but I do not turn from your law. I remember your ancient laws, O Lord, and I find comfort in them... Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.... It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees... May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant... My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word." (Psalm 119: 50-52, 67, 71, 76, 81)
Thank you, Father.
Amen.

Deliverance

Father, seeing Paul's life teaches me of Your way with people who trust You.

What pressure he was under with the group of disciplers he traveled with. They worked under very dangerous conditions, thinking at times they would be killed. But instead of collapsing, these men - knowing they were living under a death sentence - realized that they knew the One who raises the dead! Things happen so we don't rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.

And You did raise and deliver them from death in Asia. Trusting You became a way of life for them. You continued to be their only hope of getting through one dangerous situation after another. With You, they could withstand the anger and opposition of those wanting no more talk of Jesus Christ, Your Son.

Thank you, Father, for delivering and comforting me in dangerous times today.
Amen.

Intercession

Father, thank You that Paul's group was helped toward deliverance by the praying people of the Corinthian church. When You rescued the disciplers in Asia, many people had been asking You to. Then many people, upon hearing how You had done it, turned their requests into praise to You on behalf of the apostles.

Thank You that we can still help disciplers by praying for them.
Amen.

Planning

Father, Paul faced a lot of opposition, and yet he was so proud to serve You, and to make You known to as many people as he could.

His conscience was open to You, Father, because serving You guided how he lived and behaved every day.

Paul and the others ignored the kind of wisdom the world expects. They didn't make their moves according to what was physically wise, safe, or polite. Their battle plan was to do things according to Your holiness and Your grace. They worked to keep the message simple, sincere, and understandable.

And truthful. They made their plans confidently, and intended to keep their promises. They acknowledged Your truth, Father. No matter how many promises You made, we know that Christ has answered "Yes" to them all. And we answer "Amen" through Christ to Your glory. You make us all stand firm in Christ - it isn't anything we can do ourselves. You have anointed us and sealed us as Your own. You have put Your Spirit in our hearts as a deposit to guarentee what's to come. Thank you, Father.

When things didn't happen as Paul had planned and promised, it wan't because he was waivering between saying "yes" or "no", any more than Jesus waivered. Paul changed his plans about returning to Corinth to spare them another painful visit, followed by a painful letter, because he loved them.

Paul shows me that living in love and truth comes with a high price, because he was aiming toward a high goal. And so, with your holiness, grace, mercy, and pardon - do I.

Thank you, Father!
Amen.