Praying For A Friend (James 4:13-15)

When I lived in Denver, Colorado, I attended a wonderful church. Founded a year earlier, I was excited to be involved with such a young and vibrant congregation.The assistant pastor was the same age as myself and we shared a similar passion for music as he was also the worship leader. As I got to know him, I desired to become his friend. I began to pray to God that he would allow a friendship to develop between us. Although we were always cordial and friendly, a deeper friendship never developed. After one year, I left Denver and this pastor and moved to Los Angeles.

Nearly 30 years have passed since I attended this church. Both he and the senior pastor are still there and the church has grown to include a school and numerous ministries. God has blessed the church and pastors’  faithfulness to the ministry and obedience to God’s Word. Recently, have reconnected with him through emails and social media. We have shared prayers and updated each other with our lives. But distance still separates us and we have not seen other in person.

This was the first time I ever prayed to God to develop a deeper relationship with another brother in Christ. On the surface, there appeared to be no reason why we shouldn’t be fast friends. But God had other plans for us. We are brothers in Jesus Christ and, someday, will be together in eternity. And who knows what the future on this earth will bring for both of us?

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”

James 4:13-15 (ESV)

In 1988, I was a young believer in Jesus Christ, needing of spiritual growth and guidance. My perspective was limited and immature, focused upon my immediate gratification that I thought a friendship with this pastor would yield, instead of asking God to develop and transform me into the man and friend He wanted me to be to the pastor and others in the church. I am grateful for the friendship that I maintain with this dear brother in the Lord. Someday, God willing, I will be able to experience sweet fellowship with him in person...in this life or in eternity!

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.