Pray Specific Prayers For Others
9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you 10 always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine. -- Romans 1:9-12
We’re coming to the end of The Battle Plan for Prayer Bible study. It’s been a wonderful journey and I’ve grown a lot.
I was going to say I’ve learned a lot but, honestly, I don’t think that’s the case. It’s more than I’ve grown bolder in the truths that I knew in my mind but wasn’t practicing in my heart.
I’ve become more deliberate, more focused in my prayers. It’s no longer just about asking God to bless people. It’s more about specifics. How do I want God to bless someone? What does this person need? Comfort? Financial help? Guidance?
My timing has changed too. I still have my main prayer times but throughout the day I’m lifting prayers up. I’ve always been one who likes talking to God. Now it’s more about other people and less about me.
I let things trigger specific prayers. For example, sweet friends desperately want to adopt their foster child. Every time I think of them, every time I see a van their color, every time I see something unrelated that one of them posts online, I say a prayer for this child and for them.
I’m also using prayer for others as a way to redirect my thoughts away form myself and my own needs and toward someone else. When I sense my mind going to my own drama, I start praying for someone else. That way I don’t dwell on myself and I lift up someone I care about.
It’s not that I don’t talk with God about my own issues. I just don’t dwell on them anymore. I don’t want to be self-focused or whiney. There are far too many people and things to pray about.
What about you? Do you focus your prayers on yourself, your family and close friends? Or do you pray for others? Do you get specific or are someone who just does the general thing and trusts that God knows all the specifics?
God cares about those details. Think about it: God numbered the hairs on our head. He cares about the little things just like He cares about the big things.
So get specific. Pray frequently. Include the lost, your co-workers, your pastors, right along with your family and friends. Don’t just say you’ll pray and forget about it. Pray. Always, always pray. God hears us every time.
