Before the year 2010 ended, my DIY (Do-It-Yourself) husband scheduled the repainting of our walls and ceiling. We all agreed that a fresh coat of paint would brighten up the place and that the Christmas break would be a good time to get it done. If we wait til summer, it would be too hot and uncomfortable. He solicited the help of my two able teen-agers.
The day came, furniture was moved about, newspapers lined the floors and paint cans and rollers were ready for use. My hubby identified the areas to work on, gave clear instructions and divided responsibilities. The teens and my hubby would do the painting. The younger kids and I took charge of workers’ care (feeding, providing cool drinks, and finding things) and doubled as assistants when they needed to reach for supplies. A cousin came to visit and ended up helping out. Observing our family work as a team, each diligently doing their task while exchanging laughs and stories, was precious. Though the house was a mess, to me, it was a marvelous mess. We just made a memory.
We were amazed at the progress of the work. The house was getting brighter as the day went on. We were feeling lighter and pleased with the improvement. I was in wonder at how teamwork does work. Unified efforts can certainly bring results. Remember when the people of one language set to build the Tower of Babel? Before God intervened, He described them in this way, “…they have begun to do this, nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.” (Genesis 11:6) Even God recognizes that in unity there is unimaginable strength. Indeed, “Together we’re better.”
In less than 2 days, the amateur painters got rid of the eye sores and soon, we were enjoying delighting in new walls and ceilings. Now that was fast.
As I pondered on the experience, a thought came to me. Our senior pastor at church always reminds us that when we work, we work, but when we pray, God works. Then, it dawned upon me. If working together can produce sweet and satisfying results, what more if we pray together as a family? Combined efforts get a task done but what about combined prayers? The Lord does promise in Matthew 18:20 that when two or three are gathered in His name, He is present-- the Source of all wisdom, power, provision and peace ready to work on our behalf.
When we acknowledge Jesus and trust Him as Lord and Savior, we are privileged to have direct access to God through Christ (who happens to be seated at the right hand of the Father and is clearly just a whisper away). We are called to confidently enter His throne of grace!! As a family, we realized that we can avail of this privilege so much more. There is a tendency to simply settle for grace before meals when praying as a family and even at times, with memorized prayers that are often mumbled than heartfelt. Why settle for that when our combined and earnest prayers can move the hand that is able to supply beyond what we ask or think?
This year we resolved to maximize this privilege. Not only when it comes to requests that concern our family, but others as well. We can adopt a family or a ministry to pray per week or per month. We can intercede for our needy country as well. Last month, our home church, in obedience to the command in 1 Timothy 2: 1 to cover in prayer those in authority over us, congregated at a convention center to pray for President Benigno Simeon Aquino. He accepted the invitation to a special worship service dedicated to consecrating our country’s leaders. We were introduced to the K4 Philippines Intercessor’s Movement (Kalusugan, Karunungan, Kaligtasan at Katuwiran) calling all Filipinos to pray for health, wisdom, protection and righteousness for their leaders four times a day : the president and his cabinet , as you wake up, the governor before breakfast, the mayor before lunch and barangay chairman of their district before dinner. I had to find out the names of our governor and chairman! What a shame!
Our Lord was present when we interceded as a congregation, and so is He as we pray together as a family. In humility and with excitement, we resolve to enlarge our prayers as a family and anticipate greater things to come. If we humble ourselves, seek His face, and unite in prayer as a family, and as a people, we can count on His promise to heal our homes and our land. That is without a doubt so much more than a home makeover. So what are we waiting for?
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