Praying for Others

 

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, (Ephesians 1:15–16)

The list of spiritual gifts in Romans 12 describes motivations that affect areas of interest when God’s people serve Him. In my studies of these gifts and their use in ministry, I found tests that help Christians know their most dominant gifts and how to use them. For instance, my top two are teaching and prophecy (usually called discernment). These gifts bring out the desire that people think and act biblically because they are centered on biblical principles. However, apart from the Holy Spirit, I have no ability to make that happen. For that reason, prayer is not only important but necessary.

MacArthur writes that love for other Christians is as much a mark of true faith as love for God. The above verses tell how Paul prayed for those who love and trust God. Faith affirms the person and work of Christ, and obedience affirms our love for Him. “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)

Loving others like God loves us means wanting God’s eternal and absolute best for them. All seven motivational gifts are ways to express that love. Serving them, encouragement, providing necessities, preaching, teaching, comforting, all are expressions of love, usually in sacrificial ways. Love cost God something and it costs us our time, effort, and resources. This is the mark of truth faith that signifies the reality of who we are:

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34–35)

No matter which of the gifts are dominant motivators, prayer is vital. I can teach the words but cannot make anyone believe them or live by them. Prayer is asking God to do His work in their lives. It is also praising God for their spiritual growth and their faith.

Letting people know I am praying for them is also important. I know that from being on the receiving end as well as hearing the response of those who hear that from me.

Lord Jesus, my prayer list is long. Sometimes that alone is a deterrent to skip praying. Unanswered prayer is also discouraging, and the other responsibilities of life distract me. However, I am reading a book called “Talking with God” and today’s portion was about the importance of intercession and how God uses prayers to change lives. The need is great. What better thing can I do to occupy my mind and time than to “make mention” of Your people in my prayers! Thank You for continually reminding me and thank You for the constant ‘surprises’ along the way as You grant me the joy of seeing what You are doing in the lives of those on my list.

MacArthur’s suggestion for further study is an excellent suggestion also for the way to pray for others. He says: Read Philippians 1:9–11 and Colossians 1:9–14 and asks what requests and concerns did Paul express in his prayers? Do your prayers reflect Paul’s priorities?

PRAY: Using the above passages as guides, intercede for others as I remember them in my prayers.

 

 

Sometimes I talk too much . . .

At a small gathering in Calgary, Elizabeth Elliot was asked about time management for busy Christians. She said, “Do the next thing. You always know what it is.” I’ve shared her words with others and some respond with a blank look of incomprehension.

Another quote helps me better understand both Elliot and the blank stares. Dr. E. Stanley Jones said, “The most active persons in the world are the people who become inactive in the Silence.”

Praying is not merely speaking but also listening to God. It is developing an ear for the voice that nudges me to action, an ability to stay connected with the One who promises to lead and guide. This is about faith and expectation, but also about the way of prayer.

Jesus is my example: “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” (Mark 1:35)

Paul prayed also, and hints that he’d learned how to pay attention to God’s ways of prompting his prayers . . .  

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers . . .  (Ephesians 1:15–16)

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy . . . (Philippians 1:3–4)

Paul heard about others and prayed for them. He remembered or thought about others and prayed for them. He considered these reminders as nudges from God.

This is how Christians can know that “next thing” and how we can know the will of God and be active in His affairs. Such motivation requires spending time with Him, telling Him the desires of my heart, but more importantly, to finding out the desires of His heart. 

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Note: Occasionally someone comments on this site with a link to their site. Yesterday, it was the member of a cult. Often it is someone trying to promote a product or a service. This is not the purpose of this blog so I do not accept these types of comments. I want to encourage readers to love and follow Jesus, and encourage posts that do that, and that identify with our common human need for peace and forgiveness -- that only He can give.