Why should we pray for others?
We pray for others for comfort, for salvation, for healing, for safety – for any number of reasons. God uses prayer to align our hearts to His will. We can pray that someone comes to know God, or that God will allow their lost dog to return home – we can pray for any reason at all.
1“You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.”[2 Corinthians 1:11]
2“I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.[” Psalm 17:6]
3“He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea.”[Psalm 102:17]
4“Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.”[James 5:14]
5“And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.”[Colossians 4:3-4]
How to pray for others?
We are commanded to pray without ceasing and pray prayers of thanksgiving in all situations. This even applies to how we are to pray for others. We are not commanded to pray mindless
repetitions, nor are we told that only superbly eloquent prayers are heard.
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”[11 Thessalonians 5:16-18]
“And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.”[Matthew 6:7]
“With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.”[Ephesians 6:18]
What is the importance of praying for others?
One of the benefits of praying is experiencing the peace of God. When we pray, God will work in our hearts. He conforms us to His will and fills us with His peace. We ask the Holy Spirit to intercede on their behalf. We pray for them because we love them and want them to come to know God more deeply.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”[Philippians 4:6-7]
“Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honoured in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”[Philippians 1:18-21]
Pray for your enemies
We not only pray for those who we love, but we should even pray for those who hurt us, those that we would even call our enemies. This helps us to keep from being bitter. It also helps us to grow in empathy for them, and not to harbour unforgiveness.
“But to you who are listening, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”[Luke 6:27-28]
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”[Matthew 5:44]
Above all, praying for others brings God glory. We should seek to glorify God in every aspect of our life. When we pray for others, we are reflecting the way Jesus prays for us. Also when we pray for others we are reflecting Gods kindness. And praying for others draws us nearer to God. So let us lift one another up in prayer to our Father in Heaven!