Praying for Others

Call To Prayer 

Title: Praying for Others 

By: Njuacha Hubert 

Date: 06.01.2024

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. James 5:16 

There was once a woman called Monica and this woman’s son was wayward meanwhile, she herself was very devoted to the Lord. For many years she prayed for the conversion of her son and persisted in prayer until finally, her son came to the faith. That son then moved on to become one of the fathers of the church in terms of his teachings through his many books. That son is Saint Augustine of Hippo.  

The Bible says we ought to pray continually. (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Indeed, prayer can change things. Even leading to the conversion of someone as we can see in the story of Saint Monica and her son Saint Augustine. Jesus also prayed for Peter’s faith not to fail (Luke 22:31-32). Peter( or Augustine) was free to choose what to do but Jesus (or Monica) praying for him made it easier for him to do the right thing. Prayer strengthens us to overcome temptation. (Luke 22:39). We have to pray for others even as we pray for ourselves. 1 Timothy 2 tells us to pray for all people including those in authority.  

Think about your body. When a disease attacks a part of the body and is not treated. It can spread to the rest of the body. Even if it doesn’t spread, just that part not working is a loss to the overall efficiency of the body. We are the body of Christ. If your spouse, your pastor, your leader, or your friends fall out of faith, surely it also affects you. Instead of pulling you to Christ, they can start to pull you into their fallen state. This is what happened to Eve. She was deceived and went on to drag Adam into it. So, you see, we must pray not just for ourselves but endeavor to pray for others as well. If we are strong in faith and they are weak, not only, can they drag us down but we are also failing in being our brother’s keeper.  

This leaves me pondering; why did the Lord teach us to pray in the 1st person plural? He said, “Our father.. Give Us…, lead Us, as We forgive”. Is it perhaps to teach us that this Christian journey although requires personal commitment, is a joint endeavor? Let’s support each other in prayers. As it goes in one of my favourite songs by Mr 2Kay titled Pray for me, “Everyone needs a prayer”. Those standing need prayer to keep standing. Those who have fallen need prayers to get up.  

Prayer Point:  

Let’s pray for the grace to pray for each other and for salvation of souls around the world. 

Repost: 26.12.2022