During the past few weeks, that I had Covid, a lot of people called me, checked on me, and prayed for me. I am grateful for each and every person, call, and prayer. There was one friend in particular who called and prayed with me. She FaceTimed me, while I was looking my worst, and prayed. Every other day after that call she called for an update. On one of those calls we were able to have a conversation about prayer. I learned that I was added to one of her good friends prayer list, that she has had for years. Once you are on that list you never come off. She prays for each person every day. Wow! My friend also taught me the significance of keeping a prayer list, with the reason for prayer, and getting an update. She told me, “You will be surprised at how much God answers your prayers.”

Though a part of me knew this, it was head knowledge not heart knowledge. We have a running prayer list at church, it lists those we are praying for and why we are praying. We do updates on Wednesdays, and many of times I have seen God move. However, my personal prayer list could and should be developed or matured. I pray for others, when I remember to, while I am journaling my prayers. Although, my journal is a good source of remembrance, I was convicted when speaking to my friend. My conviction was that the earnestness I seek God in for my situations should be the same when I pray for others. I should be devoted to praying for others as my friend is and as her friend is.

We all need prayer and those in our life devoted to prayer, including Paul. This is a prayer request from him ( I ask that you pray the same for me.) 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5,

1 Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we ask you to pray for us. Pray that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes, just as when it came to you. 2 Pray, too, that we will be rescued from wicked and evil people, for not everyone is a believer. 3 But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.  4 And we are confident in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we commanded you. 5 May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.

Questions:

What do you do when someone asks you to pray for them?