A Prayer for Mercy
“May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me — may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day! — and you well know the service he rendered at Ephesus.” 2 Timothy 1:16-18
As Paul is writing this final letter to his friend Timothy he also is asking for blessing on another friend, Onesiphorus who had blessed him. Onesiphorus had shown himself to be a true friend and a blessing to Paul and Paul is asking for mercy on him and his household.
Onesiphorus was a blessing to Paul and probably to others. We all know people like this who are just good at being a blessing to others. We have people in our church and I am sure you do in yours as well, who just know what to do for others when there is a need. I so wish I was that type of person but I just have to say I don’t have that natural talent. I have often said I am much more of a Mary than a Martha. The Marthas of the world just have that servant heart and know what to do to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Aren’t we grateful for those type of people! We should also pray for them much the same way that Paul did.
Onesiphorus was also not ashamed of Paul and the fact that he was in prison. His servant heart reached out to Paul even at a time that maybe there were those who had turned their back or didn’t feel they could be seen with him. He was a true friend to Paul even when there were tough times. I hope you have friends like that. Friends who will be there for you even when things aren’t going well. I have those friends. I have a group of friends who have walked some roads with me and prayed over me and encouraged me in some of the hardest seasons of my life. I pray that you have those friends too. Paul was showing his appreciation for Onesiphorus and his servanthood and his friendship in praying for him and mentioning him to Timothy.
Paul reminded Timothy of the times that he would know of Onesiphorus servanthood as well. Onesiphorus was obviously a faithful servant to Paul and to others. I personally want to do a better job of recognizing those in my midst who have served me and who serve others. I want to pray for blessings and mercy on them and their household. Why don’t we do this? If you know of one person in your midst who always goes above and beyond with a servant heart, why don’t we find a way to intentionally bless that person as Onesiphorus did Paul. I’m going to pray for God to show me the person he wants me to intentionally bless today. I hope you will do the same!
Restore 