Bear on another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2, ESV)

As I was preparing for the most recent global prayer meeting, I found the verse from Galatians about bearing one another’s burdens.  I enjoy asking AI questions; so, on a whim I asked, what is a prayer burden. This Gemini (google) AI’s reply:

“A “prayer burden” refers to a deep, persistent sense of concern or responsibility that motivates one to pray for a specific person, situation, or cause. It’s a spiritual prompting from God, a call to intercede and offer focused prayer, often accompanied by a feeling of weight or urgency. This burden can arise from various sources, including a specific need, a divine vision or dream, or simply a strong love for someone.”

It was perfect! It spoke specifically to the burden NCFI has for nurses and midwives affiliated with the national fellowships and regions. We are concerned and drawn to pray when there are lack of staff, challenges to finances, overworked nurses, and the many other burdens of managing a ministry. Our heart is heavy and focused on petitions to the Lord for those country contacts without a fellowship who need the community of nurses and midwives to stay strong in their faith. I am sure many in the NCFI leadership are prompted by the Lord to pray for specific situations. The most recent ones that come to mind are when I think about the nurses caring for patients in war-torn areas, places of disasters, or spreading infections and illnesses. These colleagues are on the frontlines representing Christ to the most vulnerable and we are supporting them with prayers of love and wisdom.

I can speak for myself, that I have a deep sense of responsibility to pray for each member of the International Board, Board of Directors, and our partner leaders, as well as the many volunteers who give of their time, talent, and treasure in supporting the mission of NCFI. Probably like you, my responsibility extends to the Christian nurses I personally know and work with. I lift them up in prayer as we labor in the work of Christ every day.

Rest assured, we at NCFI actively carry the prayer burdens of many nurses and midwives, their colleagues, their patients and families, and their students and staff. We do so joyfully and with a bright mission of assisting the Lord with his burden of loving the world.