An Encouraging Word
by Reverend Dr. Peola C. Hicks.
 

One Sunday when I was in the church the Pastor asked everyone who needed to be encouraged to come to the alter for prayer.  When I looked around the alter was full of people who answered that call. 

Some people were weeping and others had their eyes closed, but it was clear that they were experiencing some situation that had their spirit downcast.  During the prayer time, there were instruments playing softly and the whole atmosphere was very peaceful. The Pastor cried out to God in prayer asking for the hearts of the people to be lifted up and that healing would take place in their bodies and their minds would be cleared of all anxiety.  This continued and after the prayer the entire congregation began to sing the words to the music that was being played.  It was a joyful experience.

I don’t know if their situations changed within that short timeframe, but I could see visibly that people walked away from the alter with their spirit lifted.  Could it have been because they felt that someone else cared about their situation or maybe they decided by faith that there is nothing impossible with God.  Things that seem hard to us are not hard for God.  Encouragement to believe that God truly cares about us does make our load a lot lighter. When we feel that God moves upon someone else’s heart to ask something as simple as “How are you doing?” and really want to hear their answer can cause us to be encouraged.

There are several meanings for encouragement.  One of the biblical meanings of encouragement is to confirm or build up.  1 Thessalonians 5:1 says “therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”  Apparently they were encouragers because they knew what it was like to struggle and stress over life’s challenges.  We can be encouragers as well.  Just as the Pastor called out to people, we can do the same thing with people who we work around each day.  Praying for others is a great way to lift the spirit of those we know , love and care about.  Don’t delay . . . be an encourager and you will be surprised how much it brightens the path of others.