2 CORINTHIANS 13
7 But we pray to God that you may not do wrong—not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. 8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for. 10 For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come, I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All the saints greet you.14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
– 2 Corinthians 13:7-14
2 CORINTHIANS 13 PRAYER FOR RESTORATION
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
As we mature our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
We are responsible to restore one another from our old ways
Before we knew Christ, we were slaves to our flesh
Now that we are servants of Jesus, we no longer seek pleasures
Let us pray for our continued healing and restoration
Let us lean on God and his Spirit for our whole transformation.
Paul wrote this prayer before he came back to the Corinthian church. It was very kind and gracious of him to prepare them for the rebuke that he would confront them with. Paul samples to each one of us who have been given the maturity of faith to responsibly and lovingly restore our brothers and sisters who have been enticed by the devil to continue living their lives as if Christ never died for them. He was concerned in verse 7 that his rebukes to them were getting nowhere because it has not elicited any changes that would have manifested the fruits of the Spirit. They continue to live their old lives and have not worn their new nature in Christ. Paul was still hopeful that by the time he comes back to them, his intercessory prayer to God would have much better results in their restoration.
REFLECTION
- What can you say about the character of Paul in these verses?
