I often get requests to pray for others. I am sure many of you do as well. Those requests come through a number of sources—phone calls, social media, church, work, etc. But how would we grade ourselves in the area of praying for those who request it of us?
The power of us praying for each other can be seen in the following words found in the Scriptures: “Pray one for another so that you may be healed” (James 5:16, NASB). I still believe these words to be true. I don’t believe they applied only to the first century church. The God of the Church back then is also the God of the Church today. The evidence that we believe these words to be true is that we pray for each other.
As a pastor, I often pray for the congregation I preach to each week. The position I occupy in their life affords me the opportunity to know some of what goes on in their lives. I would be amiss to neglect praying for them when I become aware of their needs. Prayer is one of the most powerful and helpful things I can do for them.
As Christians, we should consider it our Christian duty and not simply an option to pray for each other. Why? Because the spirit of Jesus’ teachings is that we help our brother in need. And when a person is sick, destitute, or being tried, he or she needs God’s help. Prayer is the means by which we petition divine assistance.
Getting Serious about Praying for Each Other
In church, we are so quick to tell others we will pray for them. That just seems to be the Christian thing to say to someone we know is sick or being tested. But how often do we make a promise to pray for each other and don’t do it? I’m saying it’s time for us to become more serious about praying for each other.
Just as the sources of requests for prayer come from a number of places, the places where we can pray are many also. We don’t have to limit prayer to the house of God. Sometimes, when I am on Facebook, for instance, one of my friends will ask his or her circle of friends to pray for someone. Because I don’t want to comment that I will pray and forget to do so, many times I will pause where I am and pray immediately after responding to the request.
Not only that, sometimes I don’t even know the person who needs prayer. In all probability, I won’t remember the person’s name hours later. Our duty to pray for each other is too important to leave to chance. I said all that to say, let us become more committed to pray for each other.
God is still in the business of healing bodies, families, and situations. And many believers need God’s intervention into their lives. Our prayers for them will make a positive difference in this regard. That’s too important a matter for us to forget to pray.
Copyright © 2022 by Frank King. All rights reserved.