On him [God] we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers.
2 Corinthians 1:10b-11a NIV
If you know anything about Paul, you know that his life was not easy. And apparently, as he wrote this, he had recently experienced a troubling time that he had expected would end in his death. But God delivered him, teaching Paul yet again to rely on God. And now Paul expresses that his hope is in God, knowing that he will deliver him through whatever may come.
But what is interesting here, to me at least, is that Paul includes the Corinthians believers in this hope that he has. In some way, their prayer has actually been beneficial to him in a real and tangible way. And if it was true for him in his ministry, should it not also be true today? When we have the opportunity to lend physical support to another as they seek to serve Christ, we should do so. But we always have the ability to pray for one another. And to do so in the expectation that it will make a difference (Jam. 5:16). There is value in our intercessory prayer for other people
Pray for others. For your pastor, that God will grant him the wisdom to lead, and the love to care for us. For the one who is struggling in their faith, that God would strengthen and renew them. And pray also for me, that whenever I speak or write, words may be given me so that I might faithfully proclaim the word of God (Eph 6:19).
