Pray for Me...Maybe

How many times do we tell other people to pray for us or tell others that we will pray for them... and don't? Sometimes without thought, we will casually tell people "pray for me" or "I'll pray for you." It's rather common for us to offer prayer as a means of comfort. However sometimes it is not said thoughtfully, it has more so become an automatic response. The matter of prayer should be taken a little more serious than a casual response. 

After browsing social networks lately with various events that have prompted mourning and difficult situations, an outcry for prayer has been present among many. GREAT! Prayer is the best thing we can do in any situation. 
1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to pray continually or without ceasing. 

But an old friend, Vera, told me once, "I don't want just anybody praying for me." I never quite understood what she meant but now it's clear. Not everybody is praying for God's will, for your good and some aren't praying at all. 

While asking others to pray for you, do you know what they are praying for, who they are praying to, or if God hears them? You see sis, not everyone has a relationship with God that grants them access to be heard by Him. The relationship is available to all, but not all have it. Psalm 66:18 says "If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened." Proverbs 28:9 says "If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instructions, even their prayers are detestable." Even those that are capable of praying for you may be praying against God's will, doing you more harm than good.  In addition, Satan hears some of those prayers too and is ready to send distractions and imitations of what we desire to get us off track. Be careful who you let pray for you and who you ask to pray for you. 

The other side of the coin is casually telling someone you will pray for them and not doing so. Maybe it was not intentional. Maybe your day became hectic, maybe more severe matters of the heart came up, or maybe you simply forgot. Telling someone you will pray for them and not doing so is worse than just not saying anything. But it has become the most common thing for us to tell someone, generally because we have nothing more comforting to say. Usually...there isn't anything more comforting to say.  It is a blessing to pray for people (we are called to pray for one another). But it is very important to pray for someone if you say you will. I challenge you to pray with someone the next time they ask you for prayer. Stop what you are doing right then, and pray with them briefly. Or keep a small list with you so that you can remember who to include in your prayers. I have one of these by my bed and keep notes in a notepad app in my phone as well. 

I've also heard people ask why prayer is needed when someone asked for prayer. "How am I suppose to know what to pray for if I don't know what is wrong?" It is not necessary for us to know what the exact issue is in order for us to pray for someone. Trust: when you send the prayer up on someone's behalf, God will know what it is in reference to. It is often good that we don't know what is going on with others when we pray for them because it keeps our flesh from judging them or inserting our own opinions subconsciously. If you are not quite sure what to say but want to pray for someone? Simply say, 

"Lord I ask that you provide comfort, strength, patience, and peace to __________. Please keep him/her in Your will, forgive him/her of their sins and guide their steps. Amen" 

It's as simple as that. And if you can't remember that, just say "Lord, have mercy." If it is sincerely from your heart, God will hear. That simple prayer covers practically everything. Some of the things that God has blessed you with; many of them that you don't even recall praying for are probably the result of someone else praying for you. Return the favor, my love. 

Love you,
- Kimyatta 

Daily Prayer: Lord, teach me how to pray and hear my prayers. Bless those that have prayed for me and allow me to be a blessing by praying for others. 

Scripture to Study: 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. James 5:16

This post is dedicated to and in celebration of the life of Dr. David L. Boyle. An amazing man of God, the man that baptized me. We all live for the moment he now has, to see the face of the One we love, our Heavenly Father. That is more of a reason to rejoice than to mourn. It's home-going glory...