Praying for one another

Two weeks back my husband had to be admitted in the hospital for a health issue. What started as a simple thing developed into something very serious and it was a traumatic time for me. Apart from the extended family that stood with us and prayed for us, many friends also supported us in prayer. It was a miracle and answer to prayer that he has been healed. All glory to God!

Praying for others is a Christian responsibility. Our willingness to walk through a difficult time in prayer with someone means more to that person than we will ever know. Sometimes the Lord Himself brings somebody to our mind and puts a burden in our hearts to pray for them. The church in Jerusalem after Pentecost "devoted themselves to … the prayers" (Acts 2:42). James 5:16 says, "…pray for one another, that you may be healed". Apostle Paul pleads, "Brothers, pray for us" (1 Thess. 5:25; 2 Thess. 3:1). Paul's letters to churches testify of his prayers for them (see Eph. 1:15–23; Col. 1:9–14). In the Old Testament, the prophet Samuel assured his fellow Israelites: "Far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you"(1 Sam. 12:23). Job 42:10 says that," … the LORD restored Job's losses when he prayed for his friends."

Very often God, in His infinite wisdom, takes us through many difficult situations. Some of us have faced severe health setbacks; some of us have been through a difficult marriage; some of us have suffered because of errant children. Some of us have endured emotional and physical abuse. Whatever may be the path ordained by God for us, today we can boldly say that His grace has been sufficient for us in every one of those situations. God has protected us and has brought us thus far. God never makes a mistake and I believe, there is a reason for all our suffering.

Our suffering and the trials we have endured help us to feel the pain people go through and thus helps us to pray meaningfully for them. When I pray for a four-year-old who is very seriously sick, I am able to feel the pain I suffered when my second son was sick in his 5th year! A dear friend of mine visited me when my husband was in the hospital, just to encourage me! She had lost her husband and she was able to understand the agony a wife goes through when the husband is sick!

My friend, when you pray for someone, pray earnestly and sincerely, claiming God's promises knowing that it really means a lot to that person!

Categories: Weekly DevotionalsAuthor: Hephzibah StephenDate: 27th November 2018 Share: newsletterDisplay date: 28th November 2018

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