As we anticipate the arrival of spring, we are truly blessed to be in a shared adventure together!

Two aspects of spiritual growth are core issues for the church today: One is our goal to deepen roots (the faith of each individual believer) in the soil of God’s Word. The other is our calling to strengthen the bond of love withing the Body of Christ. It’s both internal (in our hearts) and external (in our relationships).

To say “we need each other” may sound trite but it’s true. One of many reasons we need each other is in tapping into what it means to “pray through” with a friend, a loved one or a co-worker in a tough time. The togetherness side of prayer becomes so vivid when we suddenly face an unexpected hurt or disappointment.

In a moving poetic portrayal of the Kingdom of the Messiah, Psalm 102:17 includes this promise:

That word “destitute” rang a bell with me in my quiet time on Wednesday as on three separate occasions in the last few days, I have had the honor of praying with and walking alongside individuals who face severely challenging situations. Whether “destitution” is a physical or emotional, financial or other type of struggle, it’s clear that a goal of the Gospel is to fill each worshipers’ heart with this strong assurance: The LORD of glory hears and answers your cry.

In each encounter that the Gospels give us of Jesus encountering men or women facing acute distress, that “glory” spoken of in Psalm 102:17 was vividly on display. Jesus heard the cry of the destitute. He hears each one.  Those unforgettable encounters remind us that He hears each cry of the hurting. 

Part of our mission in the church and through the church is to pray for others with that same conviction. The “glory” in which the Messiah appeared was not based on circumstances or surroundings. It was His Presence: “live” and in-Person!

In Christ our living Savior we have a place of refuge, a home for our weary souls, a haven of refreshing and renewal and the assurance that He is listening!

This is such a good launching pad for any prayer we need to pray today. It sounds so simple but it’s so vital to know about the prayers in your own heart: The LORD of glory is…..listening to you.