Today’s Truth

Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:30 NLT)

 

Friend to Friend

I am so glad that God gave us girlfriends who will struggle with us in prayer. Paul wasn’t a girlfriend in God, but he certainly understood struggling together in prayer.

He wrote: “Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me” (Romans 15:30 NLT).

The New Testament was originally written in Greek and sometimes looking at the original definitions of the words can give us great insight. The Greek word Paul uses for struggle in Romans 15:30 is sunagonizomai, which means “to struggle in company of, i.e., to be a partner (assistant), strive together with.” The root word means “to endeavor to accomplish something: fight, labor fervently, strive,” for example, to compete for a prize or to contend with an adversary.

Prayer for another person is not simply a nice platitude or a pat on the back. I’ll be honest, when I’m having a difficult time and someone says, “I’m thinking about you” or “I’m sending positive thoughts your way,” I don’t feel encouraged. I don’t need happy thoughts sent my way. I need prayer sent God’s way!

When we tell someone that we will pray for them we are agreeing to put on the armor and head to the front lines of battle on their behalf. We are locking our shields and making our appeals with other warriors on someone else’s behalf. 

Many ancient shields had brackets attached to the sides. These brackets were a type of latch that soldiers used to lock shields during battle. When the shields were locked together, the soldiers moved as one force, forming a barricade against the enemy.  

Alone, the shield was a small defense. Together they formed a human wall. Do you see the significance? When we lock arms in prayer with others, we are locking our shields together and forming a powerfully strong fortress of defense.

One night I was in the restroom touching up my makeup before speaking to several hundred women. I was having one of those moments when I looked in the mirror and thoughts began to swirl in my mind. What am I doing here? What do I possibly have to say to these women that could make any difference in their lives? I am not capable of walking to that podium tonight.

While I was mulling over the lies and the fiery darts Satan was shooting into my flimsy armor, my cell phone rang.

“Hi Sharon. This is Mary (My GiG Mary). Where are you?”

“Actually, I’m standing in the restroom at a speaking engagement getting ready to walk out on the stage. I forgot to turn off my cell phone!”

“I want you to know,” Mary continued, “God interrupted me while I was cooking dinner and told me to pray for you. Not only that, He told me to call you…now.”

I was imagining Mary standing in her kitchen with spaghetti sauce simmering on the stove and stopping mid-stir. There might have been a little conversation with God that went something like this

God: Call Sharon and pray for her.

 Mary: Could you just wait a minute God? The sauce is almost done.  

God: Call Sharon and pray for her.

Mary: OK, OK, I’ll do it now.

There was great power in Mary’s instant obedience. If she had waited, I would not have known that she was praying. Not only did God prompt her to pray at that moment, but He also wanted her to tell me that she was doing so. Why? God knew that there was power in her prayer, and He wanted me to know that I was not going into battle alone. He had called Mary to “struggle with me,” to “strive together in battle,” to lock arms with me and march into victory.

Who is God calling you to pray for today?

I’d like to pray for you. Leave a comment and let’s struggle together in prayer. I encourage you to go to the comments page and link arms with your other Girlfriends in God and pray for them

 

Let’s Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us girlfriends in God to pray for us and with us. Thank you that you called women to join together as mighty prayer warriors with shields linked together, marching into battle as one unified force.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen

 

Let’s Keep in Touch

June 30, 2023, Girlfriends in God is coming to a close. Thank you for linking arms with us in ministry for the past 17 years. We still want to share life with you! Click here to continue receiving devotions from Sharon Jaynes on Tuesdays. Click here to continue receiving devotions from Mary Southerland on Wednesdays. Click here to continue receiving devotions from Gwen Smith on Thursdays.

 

Now It’s Your Turn

Is there someone God is calling you to pray for today? If so, email them a prayer or pray for them over the phone!

 

More from the Girlfriends

One of the most powerful prayers we will ever pray are Scriptural prayers—praying the Word of God. Check out Sharon’s laminated prayer cards on Praying for Your Children and Praying for Your Husband.

 

 

 

Also, for wives or those who long to be, see Sharon’s book Praying for Your Husband from Head to Toe: A Daily Guide to Scriptural Prayer.

 

Also, Sharon has a prayer wall on her site. Click here to leave a prayer request and to pray for others.

© 2023 by Sharon Jaynes.  All rights reserved.

30 Responses to “Struggling Together in Prayer”

  1. Vickie says:

    Praying for Kelsie to have a healthy baby! Healthy pregnancy.
    Able to move into new house before the baby is born.

  2. Crystal says:

    I desperately need prayer for several serious health concerns involving 4 members of my immediate family, for my marriage, and above all that I handle it all as God would have me to & that I would have wisdom, patience & faithfulness.

  3. Sheila says:

    Praying and asking for prayer for my son with years of drug addiction. I’m praying for each of you with struggles.
    Amen

  4. Kimmi says:

    Please pray for my marriage my husband and I have been separated for eight years now and we are coming back together. It’s a slow process. I’ve been single parenting. Our special needs son for the last eight years and it is getting harder. I pray for opportunities to find the right support and help for him, I also pray that my husband will help support us more and be compassionate with the willing heart, and seek the Lord like never before. I also asked that you would bring Christian people around my marriage and my son. That would rally around us. Pray for us and give us great support and friendship. Thank you for your prayers and thank you God for keeping your promises.

  5. Vicki says:

    Thank you so much for this message this morning. I am struggling with myself right now. I am not feeling the best. And I have a fear of health issues right now. I ask that you prayer my strength for my mind and my body. I know God is a healer. I need to trust him more. I am doubting myself in so many ways. I need strength – physically and mentally,. Thank you for praying for me as I continue to pray for you.

  6. Evangeline says:

    I’m praying for/with you Sheila, and have been for a while now. I look for your comments to get updates on your son. I have seen first hand the devastation addiction can inflict on a family. I pray God will speak to your son’s heart and help him to feel loved and valued and accepted by his creator and that he will feel the power of the prayers being lifted up on his behalf and that he will know that he is not alone in this fight. I pray for you, dear sister in Christ, that you too will feel the power of these prayers and know that you are not alone in this either. May God send you strength and wisdom and direction, as well as grace. Fight on. We are with you.

  7. Rena says:

    Thank you for 17 years of Girlfriend in God. I don’t know why it’s coming to an end. I read Girlfriends in God every morning as part of my devotion. It has been very special to me to have this to reading to start to my day and share this moment with other Girlfriends in God. It unites us as women! It has been an amazing platform for women like me to have Girlfriends in God that shares Christian values, teaches us about faith, and unites as one. I have enjoyed the stories you have shared. I’m so sorry and sad to see Girlfriends in God come to an end. Thank you for the friendship and for uniting us a girlfriends. You have truly had an impact on my life! May God continue to Bless You All!

  8. Wende says:

    I’m praying for my friend who is in his third year of fighting cancer. Tomorrow he is to have a kidney removed because it has a tumor. I’m praying for the tumor to disappear, a miracle. I’m praying that the cancer is gone. I’m praying for his wife and children to remain strong and to not lose hope and faith. For them to feel lifted up.

  9. Sara says:

    I am grateful for you all and your ministry. It truly has blessed my life.
    I would appreciate prayer for my family. I am recovering from a stroke. My husband has been diagnosed with scleroderma. This has derailed my 17 year old son’s walk with God.
    Thank you.

  10. Leni says:

    thank you again GIG for another fantastic devotion and how powerful prayets are especially when joined with others.
    please pray for my daughter n her partner with their baby just about to move out and now her partner lost his job so things very difficult but I trust God that He will provide a better job and meet all our needs.
    also praying for you all that you will see God surround you and blessings love and power will flow always.
    love to all in GIG as you all see God open new doors with his mighty provision xx

  11. Carolyn says:

    Hi Vicki
    I am praying for you.Your request sounds so much like mine and even though our requests may not be exactly alike I relate so much.
    I have been struggling with health and mind issues.I’m praying for healing for your body and peace for your mind.
    And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall guard your heart and mind through Christ Jesus.I pray that the joy of the Lord be restored to you.The joy of the Lord is our strength
    In Christ,
    Carolyn

  12. Robin says:

    Praying for those listed above.
    My son, Eli (5 years old), is about to start radiation therapy on a brain tumor. Please pray with me that the tumor will stop growing and that he will have minimal or no side effects from the radiation. The doctors have told us that radiation could kill his pituitary causing loss of endocrine functioning, thyroid issues, diabetes, and could also cause memory issues and processing issues.
    Thank you for your message today!

  13. Jean says:

    Praying for my sister, who is having “broken neck” surgery as the first of two surgeries on her back. She has battled many back issues over her adult life. Asking God to heal her and keeping her strong physically, mentally and prayerfully! Thanks for reinforcing my shield to protect her in prayer!

  14. Janna says:

    Praying for all of you ladies posting here today! Please pray for my son, who is 1 year old and has had several feeding struggles from the beginning. We have gotten help from doctors and Occupational Therapists but it’s been a journey and still a long road to go. He needs to be eating and drinking independently by August. It could cause issues with my employment if he is not. We are working daily, but sometimes it feels defeating when we aren’t seeing a lot of success. Thank you.

  15. Kim says:

    Thank you for the image of interlocking faith shields. I’m asking for prayers for my boyfriend Chris. He recently lost his father, and his mom has severe dementia. Also, he’s recently been diagnosed with two autoimmune arthritis diseases which are very painful. He’s in a dark place and feeling hopeless. I ask for God’s will and my prayers are with these women posting today.

  16. Liz says:

    Praying with you all. Please pray for clarity and for me to take a strong stand against the schemes of the enemy. He is prowling around seeking someone to devour.

  17. Melany says:

    Praying for my health issues
    My finances getting approved for disability
    Praying for approval on a home equity loan to do repairs to our home.
    Needing Pray for the depression and anxiety I suffer daily with and being over whelmed from every thing
    Thank you God I love you amen

  18. Connie says:

    I have been hosting a family that was evicted because of non payment of their rent. It was only supposed to be temporary, a few days while they looked for new housing. It’s been nearly a year & I really don’t want to see it go into another year…
    Please help me pray that God will help Sue & her family find a new apartment & that I can get my home & sanity back.
    Amen

  19. Lynne says:

    Prayers for my son, who has chosen to not have anything to do with me, his father or his sister. He has cut us out of his life, changed his number and his last name! He got married last fall, and we weren’t invited to the wedding! So much sadness and heartbreak! Please pray for healing and restoration!

  20. Tami says:

    I have read through the prayer requests and Ibhave prayed for each of you, by name.

    I am saddened to know that GIG is going away. I know I can sign up for emails and get devotions, but having them in one place and easy accessible is great. I will miss these devotions as I often pass along thoughts and verses from the devotions to my own children. May God bless you all on what Gid has planned for your next adventure.

  21. Khazel says:

    Praise God for this reminder. It felt good knowing that I’m not alone fighting my own battles. Remember me in your prayer. That our good Lord will provide and make miracles to my family’s financial problem. Also, that the Lord will give me wisdom to make decisions and assure me that I’m still walking on His plan.

    I will read your prayer request and pray for you as well.

  22. Also Sharon says:

    Oh my…I believe this is the reason God tells us to pray without stopping! So many needs! Every minute of our day we can praise Him and thank Him and bring needs to Him and listen for His voice to guide us, so there is no stopping prayer. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Thank you Sharon and GIG for all the years of encouragement. (There are 83 more comments on Aug 24th)

  23. Amy says:

    Please pray for my child support court date this Friday June 16th at 9am eastern time. Please pray for my daughter Ava as she fell and required stitches. We have to get the stitches removed Friday. Please pray she cooperates and tolerates it well. I truly covet your prayers. God bless!

  24. Lettie says:

    Please pray for my teenage son who is abusing marijuana and has mental health issues.

  25. Rebekah says:

    GiG was instrumental in my growth in the Lord. Shortly after discovering GiG my 15 year old daughter was diagnosed with cancer. “Trusting God: A Girlfriends in God Faith Adventure devotional book carried me through those days staying at the hospital with my daughter. I have since told the ladies in my Bible Study group about GiG.

    Like many others who have commented, I am extremely sad that GiG is going away.

    Please pray for my daughter who is going through a heartbreak right now. She loves the Lord and knows that God will bring something good out of this but her pain is so deep. She cannot understand why God allowed her to go through cancer, then couple years ago, she started experiencing anxiety, then this heartache. Please pray that in the fullness of time God will bring the perfect mate for her.

  26. Ugonna says:

    I’m praying and I desperately need prayers for the fruits of the womb. Have been married for eight years and Still no child. My husband is diabetic which is affecting his sperm production. I’m praying for a miracle as we don’t have money to go for fertility treatment

  27. Dina says:

    Praying for my dad who can’t speak or walk because of a stroke.

  28. Louise says:

    I have also read through every petition and I pray that you felt my prayers and support.

    I need prayer for my son who missed out on getting started in his career because he was battling depression. He is now well and looking for that first job opportunity and struggling with explaining the lapse. He has so much to give – he just needs that first employer to give him a chance.

  29. Eero says:

    I am worry and hurt. That Jesus help me.

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"We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well…" 1 Thessalonians 2:8