Shepherding : Prayer

Philippians 4:

6 In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses every man's understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

Last night two saints came for fellowship and as we to fellowshipped, the Lord gave me the discernment of what they were actually going through. To meet their present need the Lord also gave me Bible verses to prayer-read with them. As we pray-read these verses from Philippians 4:5-9, the timely speaking of the Lord was so precise and profound. It met their actual need. Oh, it was a great relief for them as we used the verses to pray back to the Lord with all the burdens hidden deep within. O what a release to make all the request made known to God! O what a blessing to pray and petition God with thanksgiving and the ensuing peace of God in the midst of hardships, trials and temptations.

Later, I fellowshipped with another saint in Guwahati, as the usual Saturday night prayer fellowship over the phone, using the same Bible verses, the Lord's speaking again was so timely. That family is going through the biggest turmoil in their lives with a member of the family creating havoc within the family. However, using the Bible verses I shepherded this family to trust in the Lord and to bring all their matters to Him; for they cannot solve any problem and explained further the Lord Jesus Christ is the only solutions to all the problems. After this short-while phone call prayer fellowship, we all were full of joy and peace. In Christ Jesus, the peace of God guards our hearts and thoughts.

Today morning I received an SMS from a sister whom I have been praying for the salvation of her and her husband. The SMS stated that she wanted to be baptised at the earliest possible. Immediately I fellowshipped with a brother and we gave her the option for today afternoon. She accepted and confirmed stating that she has been fully prepared to fully give her life to the Lord Jesus Christ. As I picked her up for baptism, on the way she mentioned the same Bible verses in Philippians as her sister shared to her last night after I had fellowshhpped the same matter. And she joyfully got baptised!

Immediately following this another new one, who has not yet been baptised, came to visit me and we read the same Bible verses again. This friend has received the Lord and is waiting to be baptised. Through the fellowship he has agreed to take baptism before the end of this year. This friend has been prayed for over four years till date.

In shepherding prayer is a vital ingredient, without which there can be no real and effective shepherding. All the new ones or saints that the Lord has burdened me to care for are all on my prayer list. Though I may not meet them frequently I have been praying for them, and that is a part of shepherding. When I did meet them, the Lord would give me the timely word for them which really shepherds them. 

Shepherding in much prayer and petition with thanksgiving is the best way of shepherding.  Lord, make me a faith praying shepherd.