Day 26

John 10-12

“I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” John 11:42 ESV

Just moments before Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, He prayed. Jesus states that His primary reason for praying this was to build the faith of those around Him. 

In chapter 12, we see another faith-building moment. Jesus is praying and His soul is troubled. As He concludes His prayer with, “Father, glorify your name,” a voice from heaven says, “I have glorified it and I will glorify it again.”

Jesus then explains that, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine.” (John 12:30)

In the first instance, Jesus prays a faith-filled prayer to encourage those around Him. In the latter, God speaks to Him - not to build His faith but to build the faith of those around Him. 

I think that sometimes we privatize our faith so much that we sincerely believe that our prayers are only for us. Likewise, we can be led to believe that God speaks to us only for the purpose and benefit of our faith. This is an incorrect way of thinking. Faith is a community. Perhaps we, like Jesus, should be praying faith-filled prayers aloud to encourage the faith of others. Maybe God is longing to speak something to you that you may build up the body of Christ.