Recently, I saw an article on the Internet entitled 101 Things to Pray for. Yes, there are infinite things to pray for — a LOT more than 101. The mind boggles. Where do I even start?
I don’t know about you, but I need something a bit more manageable, more bite-sized. Otherwise, I start to feel overwhelmed.
Maybe a better approach is to ask this question: “Who does the Bible say that I should pray for?” It seems reasonable to think that if they prayed for those people in the bible, perhaps we should also. No?
Here are SIX people or groups of people the bible tells us we should all be praying for.
1. FOR ONE ANOTHER
Embedded into the fabric of the New Testament is the principle of praying for each other in the church. St. Paul starts almost all of his letters by assuring his readers that he is praying for his readers.
God, whom I serve with my spirit by announcing the gospel of his Son, is my witness that, without ceasing, I remember you always in my prayers. (Romans 1.9)
I thank my God whenever I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. (Philippians 1.3–5)
We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus. (Colossians 1.3)
Someone in my church told me just yesterday that they — and lots of others — were praying for me in my current health struggles. It made me feel ten feet tall to hear those words…
What a privilege we have to pray for one another as Christians!
2. FOR CHURCH LEADERS
Here’s an interesting fact: Paul prayed for the churches — but also asked them to pray for him.
I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. (Romans 15.30)
Pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it. (Colossians 4.2–4)
Brothers and sisters, pray for us. (1 Thessalonians 5.25)
We should pray for our spiritual leaders. Leaders need God’s wisdom to discern His will for the church in these complex and challenging times.
When I was the Vicar of one Church for more than a decade, several people asked if they could be a prayer support for me as their leader. Eventually, they formed a small prayer group that met regularly to pray specifically for me — and sometimes with me.
I can’t tell you how incredibly helpful and encouraging that was. I must stress — this wasn’t my initiative; they did it out of their own desire to be prayerful and encouraging.
When was the last time you prayed for YOUR church leaders? Could you be part of a small group of people supporting your pastor or minister in prayer?
3. FOR THE SICK
The Bible encourages us to pray for the sick. One of God’s names in the Old Testament is ‘Jehovah Rapha’, which means ‘the God who heals’.
We are privileged to bring sick people before a holy and mighty God to ask for healing. We cannot and should not demand healing. But we can — and should — humbly ask… believing he can and will.
James 5.14 says, Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the church elders to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.
Do we always get what we want when we pray for the sick? No. Do I understand and explain what happens when we pray for the sick? No.
But praying for the sick shows our faith in a God who can do the inexplicable. So, in faith, we pray for those who need His healing power.
4. FOR THOSE IN AUTHORITY
No matter your political affiliation, the Bible commands us to pray for political leaders.
First, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people — for kings and those in authority — so that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. (1 Timothy 2.1–2)
Local, national, or global political leaders face unprecedented challenges in this complex and fragmented world.
We should ask God to give them wisdom, strength, endurance, patience, and integrity.
5. FOR OUR ENEMIES
Jesus says we should pray for our enemies in the Sermon on the Mount: But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5.44)
Be honest: praying for people who don’t like us is hard.
Why should I pray for someone who hates me and perhaps even wants harm to come to me? Our natural human desire is to hit back — figuratively or perhaps even literally.
Aside from it being one value of living in the Kingdom of God and part of our obedience to Jesus, forgiving and praying for our enemies connects to God forgiving and blessing us.
When we hold on to vengeance and revenge, it hurts us all the more.
By praying for our enemies, we find grace, mercy, and forgiveness flooding our lives. Suddenly, we can put things into perspective and give our hurt and pain to God.
So, pray for your enemies…
6. FOR OURSELVES
It is perfectly fine to ask God to bless, guide, save, remember, direct, guide, and protect us.
So, yes, we can pray for ourselves — even though sometimes we feel it is selfish.
It’s amazing how many Christians love to pray for other people but rarely — if ever — will pray for themselves. Somehow, it just doesn’t sit right…
Look at the Psalms — many examples of people praying for themselves.
But when we pray for ourselves, let’s make sure we are praying as James instructs us — with the right motives.
When you ask, you do not receive because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. (James 4.3.)
So, there we have it — SIX groups of people we should pray for. Which of these groups do YOU find it hardest to pray for?
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