The Bible is the best source for learning how to pray, and the place to start is with how Jesus taught us to pray. Many of us learned The Lord’s Prayer as children. The following Bible verse is the basis of that prayer. Depending on the version of the Bible used, the wording will vary. “He said to them, When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’” Luke 11:2-4 (NIV) The next step is to determine how the Lord would have us pray for each other. Here are several Bible verses which give us further instruction: “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)
I N M Y P R AY E R S by Craig Ruhl You are in my prayers. I just posted that response to a social media post from a family friend who asked for prayers for her and her family. There wasn’t a mention of what to pray for or even whom to specifically pray for. God knows who is in need and exactly what is being requested. Most of us who use social media receive these requests many times a day. How do we respond? What can we do to lift another person in prayer? We tell each other, “I’ll keep you in my prayers,” or “I’ll pray for you.” But let me ask you a question before I continue; how often do you follow through on your promise? Do you write that prayer request down so you will remember to include it during your scheduled prayer time? Or do you stop what you are doing and immediately say a brief prayer? It is easy to make a promise or commitment to pray for another person and then not follow through with prayer. The number of prayers needed among family, friends, church family, work associates, and neighbors can overwhelm us. How are we to manage this part of our prayer life? 30 | M AG A Z I N E N A M E PAGE 3 29
“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 (NIV) “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” Romans 8:26 (NIV) When someone asks us to pray and we agree to pray, we are called to follow through and intercede on their behalf. To say we will pray while not intending to do so is being untruthful. Prayer is a serious matter, having a profound effect both on the one praying and the one being prayed for. Taking it lightly is a grave mistake and can have a devastating effect. There are groups or circles of people who specifically join to pray. I like to call them Prayer Warriors. We can find them in churches, small groups, ministries, neighborhoods, and social media. Often, a need will arise, and they will put a call out for intentional prayer. The request quickly spreads, and faithful prayers are offered. We have the biblical assurance that when we pray in agreement with others, God in heaven will hear our prayers.
