This Sunday was interesting. About five years ago, Pastor Ben took a trip out to Vietnam and Cambodia. This was a meaningful trip for Ben because he had flown during the Vietnam War and this was the first opportunity to revisit this area of the world. I know the draw as my dad has often stated that he would love to get back for a visit. Dad served as a Navy Seabee during the war and was stationed in Chu Lai, I believe.
This morning, Pastor showed a number of photos of the trip. Ben had the opportunity to visit the Khmer Evangelical Church. What experience that really struck him was the family that lived right next to the church. Unfortunately, I did not catch their names. This elderly couple is probably the oldest Christians in Cambodia and survived the days of Pol Pot. If you are not familiar with this period, I would encourage you to read more about the genocide that happened during this time. The communist Vietnamese took advantage of this brutality and came through to liberated the Cambodians from the horror of Pol Pot. Unfortunately, however, the brutality was pretty much unchanged. It was during this time that this couple was imprisoned and questioned by the Vietnamese occupiers. They used this opportunity to witness and share their testimony to their communist captors. Shortly after, they were mysteriously released from prison and were allowed to return to their home.
Pastor Ben conveyed that the wife repeated several times during the visit that God was faithful to them. What courage and testimony! But what had the most impact is when they requested that Pastor Ben pray for them. Pastor Ben stated in his presentation that he felt they should have been praying for him! But he honored their request and prayed God's blessing on them.
So how does this relate to the Gospel of John? In John 17, you find that Jesus prays not only for Himself, but He also prays for the disciples. Remember that the disciples were just beginning to understand what was going to take place. With this understanding, Jesus knew that prayer was the next step. This act of prayer served to encourage the disciples and strengthen them against the upcoming trial.
In the same way, we should be encouraged. Hebrews 7:25 explains that Jesus is always interceding on our behalf. ALWAYS! But we need to pray for each other as well. Remember that prayer changes things, prayer encourages, and prayer strengthens your fellow believers. So the next time you see a brother or sister in Christ, take their hand and pray an encouragement, a blessing on them. I know...it can be uncomfortable, especially if you are of Scandinavian blood like me. But God can't whittle on you if you are a stick in the mud.
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