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Discouragements abound in the Ministry of building Christians. For Apostle Paul, the discouragement reality was stark. Spending years labouring and nurturing the Ministry to the Gentiles, Paul met many discouragements. Deserted, weakened, lured by human reasoning and false teachings, the Church in Ephesus was a feeble vessel in its testimony to the world. This was at the time before Paul’s impending death. Far from staying disillusioned and crushed, he speaks his heart to Timothy as a friend in his hour of need.

Paul reminds Timothy that the current situation of the Ministry is not final. God calls individuals to faithful relationship with Him through the promise of eternal life. The very conviction of that calling is what moves the person in service to Him. Just as in salvation, so service is also by the grace, mercy and peace from God. Service in faithfulness and sincerity is what God calls us to. God’s plan for our purposes and plans transcends the generations. It was so for Paul and Timothy. The calling is certain, even if the outcome of Ministry may seem uncertain and discouraging at any current stage.

The courage and boldness to be steadfast and immovable is to cling to the promise that God’s enabling for the work is sure. “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self discipline.” (1 Tim. 1:7). We are not struggling with fears. He empowers us by His Presence in our lives. In Him, we need not fear; rather through His enabling, we respond in love in our service. Having and maintaining a sound mind requires constant hard work, a positive approach, and an acceptance of both the good and the bad.

While serving in Christian Ministry appears to be a lot of hard work, God’s calling is in one area of faithfulness – that of fervent prayer (2 Tim1:3). Paul always shares how he keeps the Churches and individuals in constant prayers. More often, he is grateful for the response in faith of Christians in Jesus Christ. It is a Ministry of fervent prayer for co-labourers in the leadership and it is prayer more than hard work. The love for people in Christian Ministry draws one to pray to God about them and their needs. How the Ministry will be, depends on how much it is drenched in prayer. Remember: Prayer is the key in Ministry.