1 December | Teens
«no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.» Philemon 1: 16
At the time of the letter to Philemon, slavery was common, and people could become slaves for various reasons, such as debt, birth or as prisoners of war. Onesimus was one of these slaves, who ran away from his master, Philemon, a man who had become a Christian thanks to Paul. After escaping, Onesimus also met Paul and converted to Christianity. The story gets interesting when Paul decides to write to Philemon. But instead of simply asking Philemon to forgive Onesimus for running away, Paul makes a request that goes further: he wants Philemon to see Onesimus no longer as a slave, but as a brother in Christ.
What Paul did was very unusual. He was asking Philemon to completely change the way he saw Onesimus, showing how much the love of Jesus can transform people and their relationships. What Paul did was intercede. Interceding for someone means asking for them, wanting the best for them. Paul shows that, when we intercede, we can help change not only someone's life, but also our own hearts, making us more loving and understanding. And when we become better people, we become more like Jesus!
Take Action
Make a card for someone you think needs prayer, someone who needs a change in their life. On the card, write a message of encouragement and say that you are praying for them. If you can, deliver the card in person or send it by post. This is a practical way of showing love and putting the power of intercession into practice, following in the footsteps of Jesus and Paul.