We had someone doing a small job at our house last week. They saw Mike sitting with an ice machine running, his leg bandaged and a walker. We told them he had just had surgery and they said they would be praying for him. When they came back on Saturday, to finish up, they asked about Mike again. Before they left they said they wanted to pray for him. They came in and I told Mike what they wanted. We three circled around Mike and each laid a hand on him and they prayed. They prayed a beautiful prayer and claimed healing for Mike in Jesus' name. It was so special! They walked to the van and came back with a picture of Jesus for me. It was painted by a friend of theirs who had a near death experience and she painted the Jesus that she saw.
What a refreshing visit that was for Mike and I! I know I talked about this recently. How often do we say we will pray for someone? How often do we do it right then. Mike was so touched by these two. What a witness they were. Galatians 6:2 tells us, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." When we pray for one another we are bearing one another's burdens. It is a powerful blessing you are giving that person. While they did not change our situation, it changed our perception. Whether one is feeling alone and you make them feel like they are not alone or you just remind someone that they have a brother or sister in Christ, it is a blessing! When you hear so much negativity, it sure is nice to run into a fellow believer who is bold!
There are many examples in the Bible of people interceding for others. Daniel interceded for his people when he pleaded with God to forgive them, deliver them from judgment and heal their land. He poured his heart out for the people. He wanted God to be glorified again. It was a prayer for his nations restoration and revival. Daniel 9: 18-19, "Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.” God's people were blessed because of Daniel's intercession.
We are told to pray for others. James tells us in James 5: 16, "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." Apostle Paul encourages us to intercede for others. Ephesians 6: 18-20, "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, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should."
During Jesus' greatest trial, He was praying fervently. He not only prayed for Himself but for His disciples and us! Luke 22: 41-42, "He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 'Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.'” He also said in John 17: 20-21, "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me."
If you are riding around Wilmington you probably see God's promise to King Solomon in 2 Chronicles 7: 14, "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." I cannot think of a more needed prayer right now. We should all be interceding for our family, our neighborhood, our city, our nation and our world!
And by the way, that night, Mike's pain took a major turn for the better! Go figure!
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