Who Do You Pray For?

When our grandson was born with Alagille Syndrome, my son began posting updates on his conditions and he would sign everything with “Praying for Silas”. We literally had thousands of people who lifted Silas up in prayer.  Amazing now, people are still praying for Silas. Almost everywhere I go, people ask about Silas and say, “We’re still praying for him.” Silas is eight now and doing pretty well but we still need prayer for him.

Oswald Chambers emphasized the importance of praying for someone else.  He said that “intercession is putting yourself in God’s place; it’s having His mind and perspective.” Praying for others in light of what we know about God and His love for us is important.

We find a great example of intercessory prayer in Daniel 9. This prayer was written near the end of the Israelites captivity in Babylon. Daniel’s prayer is now a model for believers  in Jesus.  He begins by worshiping God for His faithfulness (Daniel 9:4), then he pleads with Him for forgiveness for himself and for the nation (vv. 5-7) and finally reminds God of His covenant and asks Him to restore their land (vs. 19). Not all prayer ends with such a dramatic response, but be encouraged that we can go to God on behalf of others with an attitude of trust and dependence on Him.

When we come to grips with life’s challenges and the limitations of our own knowledge and strength, we come to the reality that we are totally dependent on Jesus. Jesus is the one who has no limitations. Peter reminded us of this when he wrote, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” (I Peter 5:7)

Prayer: Father help me to know you better, so that I can filter my requests for others through my knowledge of Your Will. Amen.

Daniel 9:2-3 – I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures…..So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with Him in prayer and petition.

Author: Tommy Herndon