I Pray For You

ByJim Stephens

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1 (Click Link)

2 We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. 3 As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.  (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 NLT)

I’ve never considered myself a great “Pray-er”. I know other people who pray powerfully, deeply, and constantly. I know people for whom it’s easy to see that prayer is their special God-called ministry and God-given gift. My prayers are mostly conversational, more like a dialog with God than a request list.

And one of the things I’m learning to do is to pray for people when they cross my mind. When I think of someone from the past, someone I know who lives in another country, someone I haven’t seen for a while, I pray for them. It’s not a formal prayer. It’s usually prayed with my eyes open. Sometimes it’s as simple as, “Father, please bless Paul!”, or “Father I wonder how Angela is doing. Please bless Angela!”

Yesterday we did the exercise of quieting ourselves and being thankful for people who have helped us (“They will come to you!”). We can also intentionally quiet ourselves, close our eyes (unless we’ve driving at the time), and think of people to pray for: people we love, people who have influenced us, people we miss, people we haven’t seen for a long time, people who matter to God (They will come to you!). And as each one’s face appears, as we think of a name, as we remember some shared experience, we pray for them.

If we know details about a need they have, the prayer can be focused and specific. If we don’t know any details, we can say, “Father, right now I’m thinking about Bill. How’s he doing? Is he OK? Does Bill need help with something?” We can pray for people who come to mind. We can intentionally think of people and pray for them by name.

Will you do that with me right now? Quiet yourself. Say, “Father, please bring to mind anyone who could use a little prayer.” (They will come to you!) Then pray, briefly, informally, lovingly. And then pray for the next one who comes to mind. Will you also begin praying a little prayer for anyone who comes to mind, anytime? You never know what God will do!

Prayer:

Father, Thank you for the people you have placed in my life. Help me to be a blessing to them. I’ll pray for them when you bring them to mind. For Jesus’ sake.