top of page

PRAYING FOR
ONE ANOTHER

June:

“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.”

- James 5:16

Let’s consider a couple of things James has exhorted Christians to do for one another: Prayer is coupled with confessing sins. One reason to pray for each other is that though we are in the kingdom of God, we all still live in bodies of flesh in a sin-cursed world, and, therefore, often struggle with the powers of darkness. Prayer with faith shields us from the attacks of the enemy, so we should certainly be in constant prayer for our church family for protection.

When we repent and confess our sins to one another, it leads us to pray together to encourage one another. Humble transparency with our struggles elicits prayer for one another. James says these prayers can powerfully heal the broken who have succumbed to sin.  We need to pray for one another on our journey through this wilderness around us.

Paul's Prayer

Paul writes in Colossians 1:9-12,  “And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light."

​

The things Paul prays for others aren’t typically the things we pray for one another. Let’s carefully read the passage and become more aware of his insights into the needs of the church and consider following his lead by praying such things for our brothers and sisters.

Elisha's Request

"Then Elisha prayed and said 'O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.' So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."

 

The beautiful request Elisha prayed in 2 Kings 6:17 was to “open his eyes that he may see.” We, too, should pray for our church family that each one would have their eyes open to the glory and majesty of God—His power, love, and goodness. Pray that we may see daily the presence and activity of God in our lives.

Samuel's Promise

Finally, in 1 Samuel 12:23 Samuel says to Israel after they had worshiped idols and lesser gods, “Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way.”

Perhaps we might realize that if we do not pray for one another, we may be sinning against God.  May we not sin against God by our prayerlessness for one another.

HOW WE'RE PRAYING FOR ONE ANOTHER:

During the month of June, we are drawing names of fellow church members out of a hat and committing to pray for that person daily.  Once you've drawn a name, find that person, let them know you're praying for them, and ask how you can be praying specifically for them.  In addition to their requests, consider praying some of these biblical prayers for them:

Colossians 1:9-12

Ephesians 1:15-21

Ephesians 3:14-19

Numbers 6:24-26

Psalm 20:1-5

2 Kings 6:17

  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Vimeo
bottom of page