Word of Encouragement (2/12/2021)

We have been talking about why we need to pray. For the last two days, we talked about our need for a God-centered, biblical perspective. Today, we will talk about another important reason:

those who depend on us to pray for them.

One of the important aspects of our Christian fellowship is intercessory prayer—prayer for one another. Of course, there are many things we can, and ought to, do for one another, using our God-given resources and talents. And when they are done in a timely and wise fashion, God can use them to bring much comfort and encouragement to others, to effect a profound change in their lives, and even to lead them to salvation. But we are very much limited in our abilities and sphere of influence. There are many times when we feel utterly incompetent and helpless against the enormity of the problems our loved ones face, when we don’t know what to say or what to do, except to cry out to God.

But what happens when we pray to God on their behalf? We entrust them to the care of an almighty and all-wise God, who is sovereign over all and has all things at His disposal! What are our words of comfort and deeds of kindness compared to what an almighty God can do? What is impossible with us is possible with God. There is a real sense in which one hour of our prayer can do so much more for our loved ones than what we can do with all our strength, all our time, and all our resources. How can we not pray for our loved ones?

We also have to remember that some cannot pray for themselves. They may be too young to pray on their own. They may feel too overwhelmed by their trials. They may be too sick or too old. Or, they may not have faith yet. Should we not be diligent and faithful in our intercessory prayer for such as these? In this regard, I find great encouragement and hope in how Jesus dealt with the paralytic and his four friends (Mark 2:3-12). Determined to help their sick friend and undeterred by the crowd, they lowered him on his bed from the roof and set him in front of Jesus. Mark tells us, “And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven’” (Mark 2:5). We cannot be sure whether “their faith” referred to all five men, including the paralytic, or just the four friends. But one thing is for sure: the faith of the four friends mattered.

What an encouragement for us to pray for others, especially for those who cannot pray for themselves! When there is such encouragement, how can we not pray for one another? Most importantly, let us remember our Lord Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, our faithful Intercessor at the right hand of God. If the blessings we enjoy abound far beyond what we ask for ourselves and what others pray for us, is it not because Jesus is constantly praying for us at the right hand of the Father? And is He not encouraging us by His example? May the Lord build us up in our intercessory prayers for one another!  

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