Praying for One Another
Download Lesson Here
Every morning during devotion, we pray for one another here at Hope CDA. It is part of the routine that you follow. You may find a church where people pray for one another, or have someone ask if they can pray for you. This leads to the question, why do we pray for others?
Wherever Two or More Gather
The most important reason of all is that we are commanded to do so. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 declares:
1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
We have already talked about the fact that Paul encouraged us to pray without ceasing. He is also telling us that we need to pray for others, interceding for them. This includes not only our family and friends, but also for those in authority. God wants us praying for all others, because He is aware of how powerful our prayers can be.
Jesus expressed the importance of this as well. In Matthew 18:19, He told his disciples, “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.” Recently, you learned about the Trinity and the importance of the double witness. That when two witnesses confirm something, then that was viewed as truth. This same principle relates to prayer. Jesus is telling us that truth is established in our prayer life when two or more agree upon that request.
There Is Power in Prayer
“Prayer simply doesn’t work.” Many of us get in a mindset, believing that our prayers are useless because we don’t see God moving in the way that we ask. However, several studies have demonstrated that prayer is an effective tool in helping people to heal.
For example, a study published in the National Library of Medicine found that people suffering from severe depression and anxiety showed significant decline in both areas when they were prayed over for one hour for one month, and that the results were even more positive a year later.[1]
A study in The Medical Journal of Australia[2] found that there was significant proof that prayer helped improve the health outcome of patients, regardless of the malady suffered. Plus, the same study concluded that the rate of rehabilitation was much quicker for those who received prayer.
Prayer works! However, Christians are not surprised by this at all. After all, James 5:15 states that the prayer of faith will save one who was sick. When believers come together to pray for someone to be healed, amazing things happen.
Paul explained it this way in Ephesians 3:20-21, where he wrote, “20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
God can do far more than we can possibly imagine. However, we can’t expect those things to occur if we don’t ask.
I’m Not Comfortable Praying for Others!
The results are there, but many are fearful of praying, especially in a group of people. They feel awkward or self-conscious about sharing their prayers. This is understandable, as some are even uncomfortable simply having conversations with others. So, having a conversation with God in public where others can hear what they are saying is scary, maybe even terrifying for some.
There is nothing to be embarrassed about. Talking to your Father is a perfectly natural thing to do, and it is also a powerful thing to do. By praying with others, you unite with your brothers and sisters to support the idea of “two or more gathering in His name.”
In addition, you send a clear message to Satan. Keep in mind that no one loves to see you avoiding talking to your Father more than Satan. He is uncomfortable when you are talking to God, which should be your goal. Getting out of your comfort zone to ruin his is a very good reason to pray out loud.
It Gets You to Focus on Others
There are other good reasons for you to pray with others. In doing so, you are taking some of the focus off yourself. Many of us are struggling with thoughts that have us “in our heads.” We are worried, fearful, or angry. We feel overwhelmed or have feelings of shame that are running through our heads. Praying with and for others can help you with those challenges. It also ruins the day of Satan.
During this section we will focus on the concept of reconciliation and how restitution and forgiveness play a big part in your life. Your prayer life is one area where you can help with the reconciliation of relationships, not only your own, but the relationships of others as well. 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 explains:
18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
We are called to help bring reconciliation. We seek to reconcile the relationship between others and God. We also seek to restore the relationships of our friends, families, co-workers and others whose paths we cross. Praying in a communal setting helps to speak peace and restoration into those relationships.
God Is Moving!
An important point needs to be reiterated. God is not going to heal or answer your prayer in every case just as you ask. Sometimes He will. Sometimes He will go way beyond what you ask. Sometimes He will do something completely different than what you expected. However, God is still moving. He hears your prayers, and He is responding doing a good work in you.
It is also important to keep in mind that your prayers are powerful. You are changing the lives of others around you, especially when you are praying together.
Every morning, you share your prayer requests at your table during daily devotion. One person then prays for each of the requests. Understand that when you are in agreement with those requests that powerful things are happening. This is not just a ritual done every morning. It is a powerful time where you are reaching into the spiritual realm to tear down strongholds, bring about healing, and see God move in powerful ways.
The hope is that you will see this time as more special and powerful. When the group is asked if someone will pray, you should be the first to raise your hand. Don’t see your time of praying out loud in front of others as something to be embarrassed by or as some kind of duty. Instead, embrace it for what it is – your chance to work with God to change the lives of you and your brothers.
Are you ready to see God move in a powerful way at Hope CDA and beyond?
Are you believing that when two or more gather in Jesus’ Name that powerful things occur?
Then it is time to pray!
Bible Passages for the Week:
Monday – James 5:16
Tuesday – Colossians 4:2
Wednesday – Mark 11:24
Thursday – Psalm 144:18
Friday – Psalm 18:6
Saturday – Pick a passage from Scripture that teaches you about praying for one another.
[1] Peter A Boelens, Roy R. Reeves, William H. Replogle, and Harold G. Koenig, “The Effect of Prayer on Depression and Anxiety: Maintenance of Positive Influence One Year after Prayer Intervention.” PubMed. (2021:43(1), 85-98). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22641932/.
[2] Marek Jantos and Hosen Kiat. “Prayer as Medicine: How Much Have We Learned?” The Medical Journal of Australia. (May 21, 2007). https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.5694/j.1326-5377.2007.tb01041.x.
Download Lesson Here
© 2024 Dr. Robert Pannier, Hope CDA, All Rights Reserved
