Colossians 1.9-12 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.

This is just one example of a prayer that Paul prayed for one of the churches he poured his life into caring for. There is such a depth of connection here, such an enduring patient love. Part of the reason Paul could ask so much of those he ministered to (and 2000 years later, of us!), is that everyone who had any real contact with Paul knew how genuine his love was and how pure his intentions were.

There is so much set against the church today, and so much set against individual believers. People have seen dysfunctional relationships all around them all their lives, so they project that into their relationships with the church and with other believers. Yet there is a vital connection in the body of Christ that God himself has established; and all hell can dish out cannot nullify that! Receive strength like never before, be encouraged like never before: God has a deep personal interest in your life, in your health, in your success and vision and confidence.

…And he has set up divine appointments for you in terms of relationships with people who love him…

Ephesians 3.14-19 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. >>