In the church, all too often we are not real, authentic, with one another. We ask for prayer for our family, our friends, and our coworkers, but we really aren't genuine with our own needs. Oh, surely we would ask for prayer for a medical issue or an obvious need, but when has someone else looked at you and said, "I'm struggling with gossip. Will you please pray for me?" or how about "With all the sexual ads and talk on television, I really need you to pray with me about these temptations." As a collective group of Christians, I'm going to say this doesn't happen enough.
It is the desire of GFF to free Christians to be authentic. To encourage you to open up and be honest first with yourself, but also with God and others (at least with one friend that you can trust). Why? Honesty about our needs and failures breeds intimacy. It opens us up to know one another deeply. Matthew 5:16 says, "By opening up with others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, their generous Father in heaven." And scripture promises more... it promises healing.
"Admit your faults to one another and pray for each other so that you may be healed."
James 5:16
Once we share our faults with one another we are accountable to do something about them. We have also taken away the power of the enemies lies. When a fault is our own secret (or obvious to others yet we refuse to be honest with ourselves about it) then the enemy has the power to lie and deceive us even further. However, once we speak our need aloud, we also gain the power of the Truth being spoken and quenching the fire of the lies.
Lord,
Today, give my friends courage to share their needs with a trusted friend. Help them to find a God First Friend, a friend who wants to also live their life sold out for you! Free us to be authentic about our faults and failures. Help us to open up and find your healing!
Amen
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