“When we feel least like praying is the time when we most need to pray.” -R. A. Torrey
Prayer is one of those things in the Christian’s life that is easy to set to the side and assign a later date and time. The problem with that approach, if we’re honest, is that we don’t find time later to do it either.
How about this? Instead of setting prayer aside to do at a later time, you set aside time to pray. There are still the same number of hours in a day however you use them, why not use them wisely.
Exposing the Action to Praying For One Another
What does it mean to pray for one another?
In order to understand what it means to pray for one another, we must first have a proper view of prayer. Prayer is not wishful thinking. Prayer is not “talking to the guy upstairs.” Prayer is not a chore in which we must do in order to keep God happy with us. Prayer is so much more!
Prayer is a privilege of God’s children. Prayer is a necessity to the life of a believer. Prayer is an ultimate act of faith. Prayer draws us closer to the Creator of the universe.
If I were going to try and define prayer by distilling its meaning down to a single sentence, it would be something along the lines of this: Prayer is the believer’s commune with God the Father through His Son Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer is a trinitarian event. It involves all three persons of the Trinity as the believer submits him/herself to God. Prayer should not be taken lightly as it does involve the Godhead, but it should not be taken so seriously that it is only rendered approachable for the most righteous.
Prayer is meant for all God’s children of all ages, and is meant for all situations of life. There’s no situation too big or too small to pray about, and there’s no better prayer than that for one another. Praying for one another places you engaged with the Holy Trinity on behalf of someone else.
What does the Bible say about praying for one another?
We can see that prayer is a major theme throughout Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. More specifically in the NT, we can also see that the Apostle Paul communicates to almost all of his churches that he is praying for them on a regular basis. Paul wasn’t the only one who talked of prayer, Jesus’ little brother had some important words to say as well.
In James 5:16 we see the words penned by Jesus’ brother that clearly states that we are to pray for one another: “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” His words are not cumbersome, but they do pack a powerful punch.
When we read James’ words on prayer, we must not overlook the simplicity of the command to generate the complex power. James basically says that our hearts need to be right in order for our prayers to be right; and when our prayers are right, LOOKOUT! God’s power will work in and through us.
Another aspect of praying for one another that we can draw from this passage is our attitude toward each other. Right attitude toward one another, i.e. “confess your sins to one another” is fostered by truly caring for each other, i.e. “pray for one another.” We must be concerned for and with the one we are praying for, and prayer produces that care. It almost sounds like circular reasoning but it’s much more than that, it’s faith!
What is a clear model of praying for one another?
One of the best examples that I can think of when it comes to praying for one another is Jesus’ “High Priestly Prayer.” In His prayer Jesus states who it is that He is praying for; “I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours” (John 17:9). Jesus is praying for His disciples, those who believe in Him.
Jesus’ example continues when He petitions the Father on behalf of His followers who have yet to come into relationship with Him. John 17:20-21 states, “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
Toward the closing of the prayer Jesus’ intent for praying for His followers is made known. In John 17:24 He prays, “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.”
Through Jesus’ example we can see the importance of praying for one another. Although Jesus knew what was going to take place, He spent time in prayer on our behalf so that we can spend eternity with Him.
Why is praying for one another important for impacting the culture of your church?
Praying for one another requires a right attitude toward others, and also care for one another. If the culture of your church is what you are wanting to impact, it is definitely going to involve prayer. What we cannot forget is what we defined prayer as above; Prayer is the believer’s commune with God the Father through His Son Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Since prayer is a trinitarian engagement, the power of prayer in changing the culture in your church is paramount. As you pray and see God working in the people and situations you are praying for, others can join in celebrating what God is doing and engage in their own powerful praying for each other.
We can never forget, “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16b). Praying for one another doesn’t just change, it transforms!
Conclusion
Taking time to pray can make a difference in your life. Making time to pray can make all the difference in your church and your relationship with God. It’s not whether or not you have time to pray, it’s really about if you believe that prayer can make a difference. Scripture tells us that it does, the question is if you believe it.
If you’re not taking time to pray, make time to pray.
Allelon Principle 