We got the creeping crud for Christmas. Three working in the medical field combined with coming together after various family gatherings means germs are rampant, and general lack of sleep during the holidays adds insult to injury. By the time our grandson woke up on the morning after Christmas with a high fever, he knew the drill. You pray for me. He’s experienced answered prayers. He knows that God is the Lord who heals. (Exodus 15:26) At one point after texting the family and sharing with him how many were praying, he shouted, “woo hoo, they’re all praying for me!”
Even those who don’t call on Jesus as Lord recognize that the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James 5:16) When the Lord began to bring plagues on Egypt, Pharaoh knew he was powerless to overcome them, but he asked Moses to pray for him. (Exodus 8:28) People who are diagnosed with cancer or faced with death often call out to God instinctually even if this is not their habit, how much more the saint who has proved by practice that God is faithful in every circumstance.
“Therefore if there is any encouragement and comfort in Christ [as there certainly is in abundance],
if there is any consolation of love,
if there is any fellowship [that we share] in the Spirit,
if [there is] any [great depth of] affection and compassion,
make my joy complete by being of the same mind, having the same love [toward one another], knit together in spirit, intent on one purpose [and living a life that reflects your faith and spreads the gospel—the good news regarding salvation through faith in Christ].”
Philippians 2:1-2 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/php.2.1-2.AMP
The apostle Paul ended his letters with requests for prayer for himself, for God’s purposes to be accomplished, and for the fellowship of believers. Even Jesus prayed for his followers, present and future, in John 17. Prayer is simply a conversation with God. It’s speaking and listening. Most of all, prayer is trusting our loving Heavenly Father without exception.
Jesus taught us to pray, “our Father in heaven, holy is Your name.” (Matthew 6:9) Part of prayer is acknowledging what we know to be true about the Lord in the face of lies of the enemy. It’s a confident hope in His coming kingdom where His will is accomplished perfectly. (Matthew 6:10) Prayer is asking for our needs to be met and acknowledging our need for God’s help in everything, especially forgiving and loving as He does. (Matthew 6:11-12) It’s recognizing we have a common enemy, we will face testing, and we can only stand firm in Jesus. (Matthew 6:13)
Prayer is a gift we can give to those who do not have the strength or desire to pray for themselves. It is speaking truth from God’s word into situations beyond our knowledge and control, confident that His purposes are being worked out in His time. It’s the complete surrender of Jesus saying, “not My will but Yours be done.” (Mark 14:36) Prayer is our earth-side restoration of right relationship with God, where we are invited to walk with Him and talk with Him. It is made possible by the blood of Jesus.
“With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.
The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.”
Mark 15:37-38 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/mrk.15.37-38.NIV
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Hebrews 4:16 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/heb.4.16.NIV
“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.
Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,”
Ephesians 6:18-19 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/eph.6.19.NIV
Amen.
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