At times I’m hesitant to invite others to pray for me. If, for example, I say, “Please pray for me, I’m experiencing a spiritual attack in a certain area,” do I sound arrogant? Do I sound as if I think I’ve done something so important the enemy’s trying to stop me? Am I possibly calling something a spiritual attack that’s actually a consequence of something I’ve done or haven’t done? Will friends and ministry partners grow weary of repeated requests for prayer? Are my prayer needs too personal to share?
While it’s healthy to approach prayer with humility and discretion, too much introspection can hinder us from approaching God at all—privately or corporately.
A dear friend wrote this to me: “It’s a gift when friends entrust me with their struggles and let me see their victories. As I walk with them and intercede on their behalf, I get to see the power of God move and provide in a way that is almost miraculous. Honestly, it would be ‘easier’ some days to be surrounded by people who are not in need, but then I would miss the greatest blessing of all—authentic people who are waking up every day and doing life the best they can.”
In Romans 15:30, the apostle Paul models the importance of reaching out for prayer when he writes to his brothers and sisters in Jesus, urging them “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit.”
Rather than fearing that we’re imposing, let’s recognize the gift we’re giving when we invite others to participate in Galatians 6:2, which says, “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.”
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Peter 3:1-22
More:
Read Ephesians 6:18 and note how Paul instructs us to pray for others.
Next:
How does praying for others affect you? Why is it important for us to be open in sharing our prayer needs with trusted fellow believers in Jesus?
massageman90 on December 23, 2016 at 7:32 am
Praying for one another is Powerful and Loving… Thank you for todays devotional
Gary Shultz on December 23, 2016 at 7:35 am
Ah Roxanne, someone else also has those thoughts and struggles. Prayer to me is a wonderfully strange thing. I put my foot in each step you were listing, having those tugs and puzzlement. One thing I am sure of is prayer is for us, although it moves the heart of God, our thoughts and requests are no secret to Him. There is no lack in His ability to supply and He will never miss the mark. That is where prayer has become an amazing thing to me. Since God almighty hears our prayers and we pray in the state of being cleansed of sin, we have launched the most powerful utterances possible on this earth. Prayer has taken on thanksgiving in almost all cases because it’s to God we pray. I like the little extra definition you supply “with trusted fellow believers in Jesus”. To bring to them, and they bring you, is a profound exchange of trust and connection. I think this is some of what God had in mind when He said “where two or three are gathered together” we share in the mists of God, a powerful place to be. For that I am thankful. We cannot afford to loose what God has given us, the power and privilege of prayer for each other. Thank you Roxanne, pausing to pray a rich, blessed, Christmas to you.
gagirllive on December 23, 2016 at 8:11 am
Season’s greetings, Roxanne! It seems to me that the biblical instructions we have on the subject of prayer are forthright and simple enough, but somehow we sure have found a way to complicate it. Whether privately or corporately, the what, who, and how of prayer can elude us at times. I am on the prayer team ministry at my church and receive weekly emails of prayer requests that have been assigned to me. I enjoy it and count it a privilege to pray for the needs of others in my church. I go to a large church, so it’s rare that I even know the person I’m praying for, but even in this somewhat private setup, I find that the majority of requests lack transparency and vunerability. Don’t get me wrong—they are requests concerning legitimate needs, like health issues, employment and financial needs, etc. But it’s rare to receive requests that go a little deeper—requests dealing with personal struggles with sin or relationship issues. Could be that those are reserved for close personal friends. I understand that. It’s not a criticism—just an observation. But it makes me wonder what we might be missing, you know? It seems like Paul had no problem sharing openly and vulnerably with those to whom he was writing. When I consider my own efforts to share prayer requests, I would say that I struggle with the last two questions in your opening. I’m on a constant loop in asking that people pray for my two prodigals. It’s the biggest burden I carry. Surely people must tire of hearing it, I wonder. At times I worry that I’ve shared too much. Not everyone is comfortable with or prepared to handle the messiness of sin in other people’s lives. The key is finding “trusted friends” to help bear the burden. And even if there is no one else, “What a friend we have in Jesus”, right? “All our sins and griefs to bear!” Thanks for your encouraging contributions at ODJ, Roxanne. A very merry Christmas to you and yours! Grace and peace this Christmas weekend, fellow travelers. ♡
hsnpoor on December 23, 2016 at 9:06 am
Might I add, GG, “oh what peace we often forfeit , oh what needless pain we bear. All because we do not carry EVERYTHING to God in prayer”. Want you to know that I pray for your prodigals as often as the Spirit brings them to my remembrance. Sandy’s too. Blessings to you and yours this wonderful time of the year!
gagirllive on December 23, 2016 at 9:16 am
I appreciate that…and you, Kim. Comfort and joy to you this Christmas!
hsnpoor on December 23, 2016 at 11:51 am
Thank you, GG!
hsnpoor on December 23, 2016 at 9:17 am
Roxanne you’ve given expression to nebulous thoughts that have been rolling around in my head for years. I know prayer is a gift but I do struggle about how to engage and do it properly and well. I do know this, though: I know some prayer warriors! Not because they pray so eloquently; although, they often do, but because the fruit of their prayers is so apparent, consistently. I want to be that kind of praying soul for others. I also want to be more disciplined about my prayer life. I would certainly treasure prayer for me along these lines from anyone so inclined. Thank you and a Blessed & Merry Christmas to my ODJ family. Let’s not just keep the faith, but go on out there and share it today!