“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2.
What does it mean to “bear one another’s burdens”?
Someone I know has recently been going through a hard time. To me it seems like one thing after another happened to them and I’ve wondered, “How can they bear it?” It made me feel helpless, as I can’t really see how I can help them.
One thing I can always do
But there is one thing I can do - I can pray.
And that is actually the best thing I can do for someone. It should be the first thing that comes to my mind when I see a need, not the last thing I think of when I just don’t know what else I can do. I can bear others up in prayer! James writes in James 5:16 (NIV) that “the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” It’s not just a little bit effective, not just a little bit useful. It is powerful and effective.
I don’t always see the results of my prayers, but I can be sure that they are effective. It is not to say that the difficult circumstances that someone is going through, will be removed. Maybe God is allowing them to go through this trial for a purpose, for their sanctification. (1 Peter 1:6-9.) But my prayers can give them more strength, can lift them up so they can bear the trial. Even if they haven’t had faith or strength for themselves, maybe I can help to carry the load for them!
A battle in the spirit world
If the Spirit reminds me of someone, then I have to take up this prayer ministry. It’s a battle that I have to fight! We read in Ephesians 6:18 (GNT), “Pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads. For this reason keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God's people.”
And in Ephesians 6:12 (GNT) it says, “For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age.” I have to be along in battling against these rulers of darkness in the spiritual world, against Satan’s attempts to make people doubt or give up.
I’ve always loved a certain story about Daniel. An angel came to him and told him that his words – his prayers – were heard, and that the angel had been trying to get to Daniel. But “the prince of the kingdom of Persia” – whom I understand to be a spirit power – resisted him for 21 days. They battled in the spirit world until the archangel Michael came to help and the prince of Persia was overcome. (Daniel 10:10-14.)
This story opened my eyes a bit to what is happening in the spirit world. There is a battle going on there, and I believe that prayer is very important to keep those evil spirit powers away. Maybe my prayers can strengthen the side of the good! I can also do this for those who do not have faith for themselves. I can fight on their behalf until they come to faith.
Fulfilling the law of Christ
This is what it means to bear one another’s burdens. Of course, God may also show me things I can actually do for people, ways I can help, and there it is also important to be obedient to what God works. But praying is the first and greatest thing I can do for someone. And it builds bonds of love. Jesus commanded us to “love one another; as I have loved you.” John 13:34.
He also said, “… whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me.” Matthew 25:34-40 (CEV). This prayer life is an act of love for people, and for Jesus Himself. And that’s the second part of Galatians 6:2, “… and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
Personally, I still have a long way to go, but I really want to come more and more into a life where I can bear burdens. It’s a hidden work, a hidden ministry, but one that can bear tremendous fruit.