“I really need a friend.” 

Have you ever thought you could really use a friend? Maybe you prayed for the Lord to send you a friend in a new city, job, group or church.

Since our family spent over thirty-five years in full-time church ministry and lived in different towns and states, friendship became somewhat of a lifeline. So I usually prayed for at least one friend at each new place.

Have you ever prayed that the Lord would send you a friend?

Early in our marriage, we moved to a small farm town in a new state. Our daughter was only eighteen months old at the time.

Gracious ladies from the church brought us dinner for a few nights and I unpacked boxes while our daughter napped during the day. 

Still, I’ll never forget the Sunday when a young woman approached me after a service. “Do you need anything? Let me know if you need anything.” Her sentiments seemed honest and heartfelt. 

I politely thanked her and continued with: No, we are fine.

But as I started to walk away, I felt the Lord nudging me to turn back around and tell her I needed a friend. With the Lord helping me to be brave, I walked toward her: I thought of something I need, I really need a friend.

You know what? We formed a wonderful friendship and kept in touch when my family moved again. It was a God-thing.

Created for Friendship

The enemy wants us to believe the lie that we are “fine” without friends. Or, that you and your family have each other and you don’t need friends in your community.

The enemy wants us to believe the lie that we are “fine” without friends. Or, that you and your family have each other and you don’t need friends in your community. @FridayKaren #friendship
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But it’s not true. God created us for relationship and community. First, the Lord desires that we are in relationship with him. Have you found a friend in Jesus?

Next, God intended for us to be in relationship with people. This includes family and friends. 

It’s a good thing for a husband and wife to be friends—even best friends. Yet, the Lord never intended it to stop there. Instead, God wants women to make connections with other women and men with other men.

Praying for a Friend

Perhaps it never occurred to you to pray for friends. But we need friends as much as our kids have this need. Here are some examples of when to pray for friendships. 

1.     When you move to a new neighborhood.

2.     Your family moves to a new town.

3.     If you go back into the workforce or start a new job.

4.     If you attend a new church.

5.     You homeschool your children.

6.     When you work from home.

7.     If you are in ministry or missions.

8.     A friend moves away or exits your life.

This list is not exhaustive, but gives you some ideas of when to pray for friends. 

Listen to your heart, it will know when you need a good friend.

Specific Prayers When You Need a Friend

Here are a few specific prayers.

Lord, thank you that you have called me friend (John 15:15). Help me to cherish my relationship with you above all others. Please send me a friend in our new town who is in relationship with you so we can mutually encourage and build each other up. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Heavenly Father, let your light shine through me and become a friend to a woman who desperately needs one. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

God, you created us to do life together, you created friendship. Direct my steps to the friends you want in my life. I desire to sharpen someone else as they sharpen me (Proverbs 27:17).

Lord, your word describes friendship as kind, honest, loving, forgiving, and how the “righteous choose their friends carefully” (Proverbs 12:26). Give me the desire and wisdom to strive for this kind of friendship, wherever I am. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Reflect on if you need to pray for a friend in an area of your life or if you need to pray to be that friend to someone.

Also see, Never Underestimate Prayer.

Featured image courtesy of Adobe Express.

LINKUP PARTY opens on January 11 at 6 am!

Christian Bloggers, come share your Blog with our audience below:

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Join @FridayKaren to discuss how God created us for relationships and community. First, the Lord desires that we are in relationship with him, then with other people. Share your blog! #blog #friendship
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The post Praying for a Friend {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

Barnabas was a Hellenic Jew from Cyprus, which is an island country located south of Turkey, west of Syria and Lebanon and north of Israel. Barnabas knew the culture and customs of both Jewish and Roman societies. Therefore, his work and influence during the first missionary efforts to take the gospel to the Roman empire were invaluable.

When one of the greatest first-century persecutors of Christians, Saul of Tarsus became the apostle Paul, after his life-changing encounter with the resurrected Christ on the road to Damascus, he faced high suspicion, opposition and fear from the leaders of the early church. After all, Saul headed many fierce rallies against Christianity. But in the ninth chapter of the book of Acts, we read that when fearful disciples refused to accept Paul, it was Barnabas who stood in his defense. Thanks to Barnabas’ testimony, Paul was then able to “stay with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.”

Later on, Paul and Barnabas joined efforts to bring the gospel to gentiles in Antioch, where they worked together for a year. They continued journeying through Cyprus, Pamphylia, and Pisidia – major cities of Asia Minor. They also traveled together to the Jerusalem council in 50 A.D.

Paul was not one of the original 12 apostles of Jesus; however, he was, unquestionably, among the most prolific contributors to the New Testament. His influence in the early Christian church and beyond is undeniable.

But even a man of unshakeable faith and solemn knowledge of God, such as Paul, needs an encourager and advocate. Someone who could go before him and open doors. And he indeed found that trait in Barnabas.

Even a man of unshakeable faith and solemn knowledge of God, such as Paul, needs an encourager and advocate. #encouragement #MondayDevotional @AJC
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Because Barnabas was born and raised a Greek, he knew the vast differences between Jewish and Hellenic cultures. No doubt, he was vital to help Paul understand the places, challenges and enemies he would find along the way.

When Paul needed an advocate, Barnabas was there.

When he needed entrance in foreign territory, Barnabas’ heritage undoubtedly opened the door.

And when he needed help in the work God called him to do in a hostile land, Barnabas stood faithfully beside him.

We don’t know much about Barnabas. But it is safe to say that without him and other encouragers Paul found in his journey, many of his writings to the churches in the Roman empire would not exist to bless us today.

I pondered that story while praying this morning, as I thanked God for the people who have been instrumental in encouraging my work in ministry.

Accepting the challenge of writing and speaking in my second language was undoubtedly a test of faith — one sometimes met with inevitable discouragement and opposition. As it happens, any time one starts something that is bigger than their innate ability or receives favor from unlikely places, he or she usually experiences some jealousy and hostility. Naysayers, hypocritical and judgmental people are everywhere, including the church.

As it happens, any time one starts something that is bigger than their innate ability or receives favor from unlikely places, he or she usually experiences some jealousy and hostility. #Encouragement #MondayMotivation @AJC
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But thank God for the Barnabases sent our way!

They are the friends and family members who cheer us on when the road becomes steep and hard to climb.

They are the cheerleaders who rejoice with our accomplishments and celebrate when success knocks at our door.

They are the supporters, door holders, defenders, burden carriers, prayer warriors, and selfless friends.

They are often in the shadows, and the limelight may never shine upon them.

Their faces may not be on billboards, book covers, or television announcements. But their names echo louder in heaven than the name of many “famous” people on earth ever will.

Every Paul needs a Barnabas. And every Barnabas needs Paul’s gratitude for the invaluable gift of selfless, unmovable, unshakable friendship and support. Take a moment to thank your Barnabas today!

“As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” — King Solomon, Book of Proverbs

This article was originally published in Patricia’s column for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Saturday, February 15, 2020. Read it on their website here: AJC

Hello, friends!

We are so excited about the many registrations we’ve had so far for my upcoming Bible Study Twelve Inches – Bridging the gap between what you know about God and how you feel ! Keep them coming!

If you have not checked it out yet, do not miss it! The study is online and will start on March 2. Registration for this free bible study is now open on our website (click here to be directed to the page). We have also opened registrations for many volunteer positions in our ministry. If you want to help women develop a deeper spiritual life through God’s Word, join us!. Check this out: JOIN OUR TEAM. 

Below you will watch a short Promo video about the heart of this book and bible study. I hope you join us!

Blessings,

Patricia

The post Everyone Needs a Barnabas {The Atlanta Journal Constitution} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.