Paul catalogs his sufferings for the Gospel in 2 Cor. 11. He also mentions his ever-present concern for the well-being of all the new churches which have sprung up since Christ’s ministry to men. It was a prayer and oversight burden he carried with him at all times. This was a natural byproduct of his leadership and fatherhood over them.

That’s what parents do … they carry a constant prayer burden for their children. It’s not grievous, unless the children are in extreme suffering. Their greatest impact is through ongoing prayer. You can say things to God about your children that are difficult to say to their face. Things can be remedied through God’s intervention that could never be accomplished in the flesh.

READ/LISTEN: 2 Cor. 11-13