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I Thessalonians 5.25 (NIV)
Brothers, pray for us.
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| We can do a great deal for people after we pray for them but little of lasting value until we pray for them.* |
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I
am guilty of thinking – and even saying – that prayer is the least I can do.
Really? Is there something else I can do that is more powerful than praying?
Paul doesn’t seem to think so – he ends his letter to the Thessalonians with
this request for prayer and nothing more.
There
are reasons why we get a little judgmental when someone says, “I’ll pray for
you.” One reason is we don’t believe he will actually do it. Sometimes it’s
just something to say because we are socially awkward and don’t know what else
to say. Often, offering to pray for someone is a way to avoid offering to do something for him.
When
my dad was dying, I had many friends who were praying for me. There was nothing
that they could do. I don’t know what
their exact requests were. Perhaps some prayed for my dad to get well (he was
86 years old, had lived an exemplary life of faith and service, and only a
miracle was going to make his body start working again); but most were praying
for my comfort and strength. Their prayers were so effective that I knew that God’s power had been released
on my behalf. I stress “knew” because it was not a feeling. I didn’t feel God’s presence – I knew God’s presence.
The
next time someone offers to pray for you, don’t sneer at how little she is
willing to do for you. Thank her and wait for the Holy Spirit to be set loose
in your life. Everyone should know
what that is like!
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| Prayer is our powerful first resort, not our last!* |
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