What could be better than to have someone say to you, “I am praying for you?” It’s a great way to open a spiritual conversation that can lead to a Gospel presentation, or a word of encouragement from God’s word. Of course, it must come from an honest heart that you are praying for that person. Sometimes it’s good to start with the question, “How can I pray for you?” It’s amazing how people who are perplexed or over stressed will open up about needs in their life and will welcome someone praying for them. On the other hand, the person that feels they have it all together or who feels they have to keep an image of having it all together will not divulge any need and will often say, “I’m good.” Do you know anyone who does not need prayer?
Prayer is so basic, and we’re given instructions and examples throughout the word of God that there is really no excuse for not praying. In fact, it’s something everyone can do no matter their age or abilities or handicaps. Everyone who has been born again has the right to come to the throne of grace through the Lord Jesus Christ and find mercy and help for their need or the need of others.
Hebrews 4:14–16 (ESV) — 14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Notice the worthiness is not in the individual that is praying but, in our mediator, our Great High Priest and we come because of His intercession with God and His compassion and ability to sympathize with us. It doesn’t get any better. But wait! There is more.
Romans 8:15–16 (ESV) — 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
Romans 8:26–27 (ESV) — 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
We have the help of the Holy Spirit who prompts us to pray, who gives us assurance that we belong to God as we pray, and who intercedes by working on our prayer according to the will of God, which means He works on us as we pray to desire things properly and He works on the requests in interpreting according to what is best in God’s will.
What a great help we are given when we pray. The Holy Spirit prompts us to pray and leads us to call God our Father. He then gives us assurance of being God’s child as we pray and He works on us as well as our requests that are presented to God. The Lord Jesus Christ intercedes for us in bringing us to the throne of God as we come on His merit and we know that He is praying for us as He sympathizes with our weakness. The Father holds out the golden scepter of grace as we come to Him and we enjoy mercy and help for our needs as well as the needs of others for whom we are praying. It’s not a matter of “saying prayers,” rather it’s participating with God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in carrying out His holy will as He uses the effort of us pouring out our hearts to Him.
Psalm 62:8 (ESV) — 8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah
Like anything in life that is good, it doesn’t happen unless we make a commitment. I believe it also should be part of our schedule. It’s proven that things on a schedule get accomplished more than things not on a schedule. Regarding commitment, it’s very good to commit to praying for another person by telling them you will do so. To make sure you do not lie, add the person to your regular prayer list by writing down their name as well as the need. Then use your list in your regular time with God. I have a friend who is very committed to praying for others so he’s often inundated with requests from people. His standard request is for the person to write their name and request on a card and he will pray regularly. His folder of requests, he said, turned into a brief case and his time in prayer increased significantly. Think of it though, whenever he saw that person and said, “I’m praying for you,” he knew he meant it and so did the person. A significant prayer life begins with commitment.
1 Samuel 12:23 (ESV) — 23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way.
Colossians 1:3 (ESV) — 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,
The priority of praying for others is seen in these scriptures from Samuel as well as Paul. Job found relief from his situation when he prayed for his friends as God instructed.
Job 42:8 (ESV) — 8 Now therefore take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves. And my servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept his prayer not to deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.”
Job 42:10 (ESV) — 10 And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.
Think of what God can and will do for you as you pray for others. Maybe it’s a prayer as Jesus prayed for Peter as Jesus reminded him of what he was about to face but Peter could rely on the fact that Jesus prayed for him.
Luke 22:31–32 (ESV) — 31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
I trust this little article of encouragement to pray for others will prove to be a blessing in your life, and for those whom you bring to God in prayer.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker, Pastor
Christ Community Presbyterian Church
Clearwater, FL
