Action Through Prayer

Praying for others is a powerful way to put love into action. You’re not only thinking of them and wanting to help, but you’re doing something about it. Prayer, as millions of people worldwide will attest, does change things. Prayer moves God’s hand and heart to do the things we ask. It doesn’t always happen right away, but eventually those prayers are answered in the way God knows is best for everyone involved.

Praying for others not only benefits those people, but you too. It brings a spirit of faith, a positive spirit, because you’re focusing on God’s goodness and power and expecting Him to answer. When you manifest faith by praying, it pleases God and He goes to work in the situation or in the person’s life. He loves you and the one you’re praying for, and He wants to effect positive change. Your prayers set His power in motion.

Start by writing a list of people you’re concerned about, who need God’s help. Perhaps they’re sick or have had an accident, or are lonely, or are in a financial bind, or are in danger, or have suffered loss. Include both those you know personally and those whom you have heard about in the news or from others.

Say a prayer for each in turn, claiming an appropriate promise of God from the Bible. Work your way down your list for 10 or 15 minutes, spending a minute or so praying for each person.

Add people to your list daily as their needs come to your attention. As your list grows, you probably won’t be able to pray for every person in the time you have allotted. Pray for the most serious and urgent situations first, and as many of the others as you have time for. Whenever you reach the bottom of your list, start again at the top.

When God answers one of your prayers, thank Him for doing so, and then drop that entry from your daily prayer list. You may want to keep a separate list of answered prayers and take a moment to review it at the beginning of your prayer time to boost your faith that He will also meet the needs still on your prayer list.

Make praying for others a daily habit, and you will not only help make their lives better, but your faith will grow and your spiritual life will be enriched as you see God work.

—

Colossians 4:2 ESV / Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

Matthew 6:9-13 ESV / Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Psalm 34:17 ESV / When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.