Pray the word with David Platt is a resource from Radical.net.

Galatians chapter 4, verse 19,

My little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth,

until Christ is formed in you. And then that sentence ends with an exclamation point.

Why should I think about that language? What a phrase. Paul is speaking to these Christians

among the churches in Galatia. And he says, I am in the anguish of childbirth.

I am in the anguish of childbirth. That's the imagery he uses. I am laboring. And

giving everything I have and am working really hard. I could think of all kinds of descriptions

that would go with the anguish of childbirth and not that I have personally experienced that.

I have observed that and seen hard work, loving work, labor to see this child come to life,

to see this child come into the world. And Paul says, that's the way I feel when I look at you.

I am laboring in love. I'm working as hard as I can to see Christ formed in you.

What a beautiful picture to see you grown into the image of Christ to look like Jesus.

Think like Jesus and desire what Jesus desires and love like Jesus loves. I am working really

hard to help you experience the fullness of life in Jesus. Let me ask the question then,

who are you laboring like that for right now? Maybe the people come to your mind and

include your family. Maybe it's a spouse or a children that you're laboring to see experience

the fullness of life in Jesus. What about beyond your home though? Are there friends you're laboring

like that for people you work with, other people in your family, people in your neighborhood?

What would it look like for you to be spending your life laboring to see other people experience

the fullness of life in Jesus? This is the Christian life. This is what it means in essence to make

disciples and so I want to encourage you to seriously consider as we pray how this kind of

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