Praying Together 19th October 2025

After Paul encountered the Lord on the Damascus Road, he was blinded and led by the hand into the City, and told to await the visit of a man called Ananias. He was a disciple who had heard about Paul’s persecution of Jesus’ followers and was (understandably) more than somewhat reluctant to go – but the Lord insisted.

‘But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

Ananias went as directed. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.’ (Acts 9:15-19)

Thus begins the story of a young Jewish man through whose faithful ministry I am sitting here in my office writing this meditation. Over thirty years, his mission will send him on five evangelistic journeys, visiting more than 50 cities including appealing directly to Emperor Caesar and his entire household – as well as writing fourteen letters, spending at least five years in prison and training others to carry on the work – one of whom was Timothy, the recipient of today’s readings, the epistles known as Paul’s final discourse.

He shares his experience with those who will follow him – through the ages, today and beyond; those who continue to proclaim the good news of salvation. He knows that it will involve difficulty, self-denial and suffering. People will reject the Gospel message, seduced by worldly false teaching. But you have a race to run, he tells them – sustained by prayer and scripture, to fulfil your missionary calling to teach the world the truth of Jesus Christ and His endless, amazing love.

Now, Paul, an old man, writes from prison. He is aware that he is probably going to be executed. He is tired, but not exhausted – like the runner crossing the line at the end of a gruelling Marathon race but who still has the strength to rejoice. The pain of all the training, all the hurdles, the failures, the opposition is left behind, for he has finally won the prize, a prize not of this earth. The crown of righteousness awaits him in the safety of the heavenly Kingdom.

That’s not his only reward.

You may remember the scene towards the end of the film ‘Chariots of Fire’, when the Union Flag is raised above the Olympic stadium showing that the runner Harold Abrahams has won the 100m Gold medal. His coach Sam Mussabini, excluded from the Amateur games by virtue of being a professional trainer, sees the flag raised from his hotel room outside the stadium and punches his straw boater in exhilaration. The medal is not just for his protégé Abrahams – it is the prize shared with his coach Mussabini as well.

There are so many who have been alongside us in our Christian Journey, Paul only being one of them. We have their example, coaching, teaching and encouragement to use our God-given gifts to the full, and as we do, they too are awarded the crown of righteousness in the Kingdom.

In our own proclamation of Jesus as Christ the Lord and His victory over the power of sin, we are the medals they wear.