Praying for Others

Upon meeting a new family recently, I was quickly asked to pray for them.  This was somewhat surprising because I had not said anything about my belief in God to them.  When I inquired about their reason for asking me to pray, they said it was a sense they had because they observed a gentle heart.  This reminded me of a Watchmen Nee quote:  “I do not consecrate myself to be a missionary or a preacher.  I consecrate myself to God to do His will where I am, be it in school, office, or kitchen, or wherever He may, in His wisdom, send me.”  

Today, the word prayer is thrown around a lot, and in one article, it cannot be adequately described.  However, there is a sense that it has become a catchphrase that has limited its power, passion, and minimized its compassion.  “Negligence in prayer withers the inner man.  Nothing can be a substitute for it, not even Christian work.  Many are so preoccupied with work that they allow little time for prayer.  Hence they cannot cast out demons.  Prayer enables us first inwardly to overcome the enemy and then outwardly to deal with him.” (Watchmen Nee)  

As any relationship that desires to grow and connect on a deeper heart level, communication is key.  Learning the compassion of my spouse, I find the passion to connect with my wife, and the power of being together brings change for a common purpose.  So prayer to me is much more than saying I will do something or speaking a bunch of words that may make me look spiritual; it becomes a call to action to know the will of the One who I have a relationship with.  

Now, here is where things get a little dicey because, looking at prayer, we can sense that it is militant in nature, militant meaning that we engage in warfare or combat.  This is true, but how and where and what are we fighting for?  Are we aligning our prayers with God’s purpose not ours?  Many people will take that how, where, and what and put it under a cause or a certain belief system.  While the cause or belief system can prove a reason for the warfare, is it supported by the One who gives the power for the warfare?  

Let’s turn to Watchmen Nee again:  “If you would test the character of anything, you only need to inquire whether that thing leads you to God or away from God.”  “Not until we take the place of a servant can He take His place as Lord.”  “We must have a spirit of power towards the enemy, a spirit of love towards men, and a spirit of self-control towards ourselves.”    

So, my friend, today, make prayer an action to know God and His will.  Then respond according to what is needed, knowing that “the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.  Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed.  The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”  James 5:15-17  “Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.”  1 Peter 2:12  

Please join your community in prayer on National Day of Prayer on May 4, 2023.  Go to www.nationaldayofprayer.org to search for an event near you or go to www.newlifecurrituck.org/ndop.  

Blessings,
Pastor Dan