Stay Awake, Stand Near: The Deeper Need of God’s Servants
Make every effort to come to me soon. 2 Timothy 4:9
Paul was locked in a Roman dungeon, most likely the cold and damp Mamertine prison. His body, aged by years of travel, beatings, and hardships, now felt the harshness of chains and the chill of stone walls—so much so that he asked Timothy to bring his cloak.
His mind was sharp in Christ, yet his heart carried the weight of abandonment: Demas had left him for the world, many in Asia had turned away, and only Luke remained. The loneliness of betrayal, the weariness of suffering, and the nearness of death pressed heavily on him. Yet in this bleakest hour, Paul did not crave for crowds; he yearned for the warmth of Timothy’s presence. “Make every effort to come to me soon,” he pleaded.
In the garden, Jesus carried the crushing weight of the cross and pleaded with His closest friends to watch and pray with Him. Yet He returned to find them asleep, and His words pierced the silence: “Could you not stay awake with me for even one hour?” (Matthew 26:40). The Son of God, though upheld by the Father, still desired companionship and intercession.
Therefore, stand with your Pastor, your mentor and every servant of God. Because no matter how strong they will surely be in their race, they still needs friends who will not sleep through their suffering but stand with them until the end.
Your brother in Christ,
Apostle Ashok Martin
Declare it now:
1. I declare that I will not abandon the servant of God in times of trial, for “two are better than one” (Ecclesiastes 4:9).
2. I declare that I will uphold God’s servant in prayer, remembering Paul’s words: “Pray for us” (1 Thessalonians 5:25).
3. I declare that I will honor the servant of God, for those who labor in preaching and teaching are worthy of double honor (1 Timothy 5:17).
4. I declare that I will refresh and encourage God’s servant, as Onesiphorus refreshed Paul in prison (2 Timothy 1:16).
5. I declare that I will stand faithfully beside the servant of God, not like Demas who forsook Paul out of love for the world (2 Timothy 4:10).
6. I declare that I will support the servant of God with my resources, like the women who ministered to Jesus from their substance (Luke 8:3).
7. I declare that I will be a shield of comfort, knowing that God Himself comforts those who are weary through the fellowship of believers (2 Corinthians 7:6).
8. I declare that I will encourage the servant of God with my presence, just as Paul longed for Timothy to come quickly (2 Timothy 4:9).
9. I declare that I will never be ashamed of standing with God’s servant in suffering, for I am a partaker of the gospel (2 Timothy 1:8).
10. I declare that I will persevere in loyalty and love, for by strengthening the servant of God, I also strengthen the Kingdom of God (Philippians 1:5–7).