Pain. All of us at one time in our lives, and probably at multiple times in our lives, will encounter pain. Whether it is emotional, mental or physical pain, it can definitely affect every part of our body. We can certainly agree with this verse in Corinthians that declares, “If one part of the body suffers, every part suffers with it!”
Several years ago, I injured my left foot. In pain, I transferred weight-bearing to my right foot. Before long, this unnatural limping gait induced acute sciatic nerve pain on my right side. The pain was so intense that I blacked out on my mother’s tile floor. This resulted in a concussion and bruises. The pain that started in my left foot ended up impacting my entire body!
God brought this verse in 1 Corinthians to my mind and gave me a unique challenge….every time I felt a twinge of pain in my foot, use it is a prompt to pray for the suffering Body of Christ. I began to do this.
When I am frustrated because pain is limiting my activities, I pray for my suffering Christian brothers and sisters held captive in prisons around the world. When pain is acute, I pray for those who are enduring unspeakable torture and torment for the sake of Christ. May God give them the strength and grace to be a witness for Him even in the midst of their pain.
Chronic pain reminds me to pray for those who have been suffering for years because of their love for their Savior. May their suffering be seeds for the Kingdom and win others for Christ.
Emotional pain can prompt us to pray for those who are rejected by family members, shunned by their community and denied the right to work because of their devotion to Christ. Lord Jesus, be the lifter of their heads, speak peace to their souls and may their great sacrifices for Your Name bear enormous fruit.
What if every Christian used pain as a prompt to pray for those suffering for Christ? Can you imagine the positive impact our prayers would have? Next time you stub your toe, burn your hand, experience illness or disease, use your pain as a prompt to intercede for your suffering brothers and sisters.
