A sweet savor is what I experienced last week. In II Corinthians 2:15 it says, “For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:”
God is well pleased with the labor of those who are His. This verse does not mean that God is well pleased with those that perish without Christ. The Bible makes it very clear that he is not willing that any would perish. What it is saying, is that He is very well pleased with those who labor and endeavor to bring the lost to a saving knowledge of Christ. God sees this effort acceptable and pleasing to Him. It is compared to the smell of pleasant incense, or of grateful aromatics that were burned in Biblical times in the temple. The word rendered here as “sweet savor” occurs in this verse, in Ephesians 5:2, and Philippians 4:18, and is applied to persons or things that are well-pleasing to God.
Ephesians 5:2 “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor.”
Philippians 4:18 “But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God.”
I believe I experienced a sweet-smelling savor, when women met to pray. I know that this is well pleasing to God because he has commanded us to pray:
Pray for our enemies. Matthew 5:44 “But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”
Pray there will be laborers for Christ. Matthew 9:38 “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.”
Pray for strength and discernment to fight the devil. Matthew 26:41 “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Pray that we will be strong and able to stand before Jesus one day. Luke 21:36 “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man”
Pray that we do not enter into temptation. Luke 22:40 “And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.”
We are to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ. I Thessalonians 5:25 “Brethren, pray for us.”
We are to pray for the sick. James 5:16 “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
Get the picture? We are to pray! It is not a suggestion. It is a direct command. We are to “Pray without ceasing.” I Thessalonians 5:17
As I listened to godly women both young and old pour their hearts out to God, I was very moved in my spirit. Some were calling on God to save loved ones and friends. Some prayed for healing and strength. Others tugged at the heart of God for our Pastor, Youth Pastor, and church ministries. Yet, there was still a desire to pray and beg God for our Nation to turn back to Him, for our schools to allow God, once again, to be a welcome part of each day. Prayers were sent up for protection of our VP military who stand guard, to protect us from our enemies.
Prayer lists were made and checked, but the most beautiful part to me was when each lady sought a private place to talk to God and evaluate their own prayer life. To grade themselves, and be honest with themselves, about the measurement of their personal prayer time. I am truly excited about what God has in store for our church, our families, and our women.
II Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”