Let
me ask you this question:
When
someone asks for prayer, do you really take the time and energy to go to the
Throne of Heaven and pray on their behalf?
This is probably the biggest pet peeve I have within the Christian
community at large: They don’t follow
through when they say "I'll pray for you". (I'm speaking to myself as well.)
Christians
are supposed to be known for their prayers.
We ask for prayer in our small groups, in Sunday School, in the worship
service, with our close friends and even on social media. Did you know that perhaps only 1 in 20 people who say they will pray for you, actually do just that- pray. I don’t mean the prayer of: “Oh Lord, please
bless – so and so – as they are in need.”
Or “Lord, we don’t know how to pray, so just bless – so and so”.
I
know that we have learned some bad habits over the years, even decades with
regards to prayer.We
tend to take prayer for granted. I’d like for us to get rid of those bad habits
and be able to truly come before the Lord of Hosts as one of His children - setting
aside time just to pray for that person(s) that asked and go before the Throne of
Grace on their behalf. You know, Just Do It!
Think
about it, in our family, we ask each other for things. We tend to
watch out for each other. We care deeply (usually) for each other, so that when
something is awry we can help out in some way. We praise each other. We thank
each other. It should be the same in the
“Family of God”, and even more because we have that Power of prayer as an
access point to the Father.
James 5:16 NIV
Therefore confess your sins to each
other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person
is powerful and effective.
1 Peter 3:12 NIV
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his
ears are attentive to their prayer, but the
face of the Lord is against
those who do evil.”
Let
me just encourage you to follow through on what you say you will do. If a person is requesting you join with them
and pray for “whatever”, and you say you will pray for them, then - PRAY for
them.
Take
the time and energy to go before the God of Heaven, who gave us breath and life,
to pray for that brother or sister in Christ. You know what will happen? Not only does the person who asked for the
prayer get blessed, but your relationship with the Father grows deeper and more
intimate. That is just an added bonus!
You
don’t have to be a “Super Pray-er/ Intercessor” to pray for someone. Just take the time to sit before the Father.
Talk with Him as you would a friend or your earthly parents. It’s a conversation
– and a two way one at that! He doesn’t need to hear all the mumbo-jumbo of
religious talk. He wants to hear your
heart. If you pray for someone, it should come from your heart. Then, quietly listen
for His answer. He will answer, if we allow Him to.
It just takes a little follow through.
