May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me. 2 Tim. 1:16–17
Dear Jesus, Onesiphorus is just one of many of our brothers and sisters we’ll have to wait till heaven to meet. Being married to you has placed us in a most amazing family, and like every other family, it’s a broken family filled with broken people. But like no other family, it’s a family with a guaranteed future of whole people and perfect relationships, beyond anything we can imagine (1 Cor. 2:9). We praise you for paying the supreme price which secured for us such a priceless eternity. We pine, crave and long for the Day of our ultimate family gathering.
Until that Day, by the power of the gospel, make us more like Onesiphorus. Though his name literally means “bringing profit,” he didn’t have to live that way. He could have been self-absorbed and self-indulgent—a man always looking out for himself, busy with an agenda of personal peace and affluence. But instead he became a source of refreshment and encouragement to others, and according to Paul, he worked hard at it. It cost him something.
Jesus, make us people who show up as encouragers and refreshers. Constantly fill our hearts with your mercy and grace. Give us gospel eyes to see others as you see them. Sensitize our spirits with your Spirit. Free us from working hard just to get our to-do lists done. If we’re going to be in a hurry about anything, may it be to love well.
Lead us today those who need the fresh manna of encouragement; some reason to hope; a concrete manifestation of your loving heart. It may be at the price of an airline ticket to find them. It may simply be a walk across the street, a drive across town, a face-to-face visit, a hug, a call, an email, a text—some small thing that will bring a profit beyond our imagining.
Jesus, you searched hard to find us and you did. You’ve broken our chains and you’ve borne our shame. May we offer a refreshing taste of your kindness to others today, no matter what their chains are. We pray with gratitude, in your loving and liberating name. Amen.