“I’ve been praying for YOU!”, said with emphasis by many people in reference to praying me in to be Stephen’s wife. Now these kind of people didn’t always pray for me by name, but they did agree that Stephen would have a wife who loved the Lord and could partner with him in missions. It’s always funny to me to meet some of these people and hear their stories. The other evening we had dinner with probably one of the sweetest couples in the world! They are in their 80s now and Stephen used to live with them. Brilliant minds and BIG hearts and they have faithfully prayed for Stephen’s wife everyday until I came. The husband actually had an inpatient surgery the week of our wedding and still drove 8 hours roundtrip to attend. As we pulled out of their driveway the other night, my heart was deeply moved. These people out of deep love partnered with my husband to pray me in. They probably never missed a day and came into knowing me with a great heart of love.
This is the power of partnering in prayer for someone. I felt the Holy Spirit say to me years ago, “Don’t tell someone you’ll pray for them if you won’t”. I made this a heart posture to be faithful in the place of praying for others. I’m not 100% sharp on memory all of the time, but I do try my best to remember prayer requests and faithfully follow up with these. The reality is there is such power in prayer and it’s two fold. One is that you are agreeing for God’s healing power, provision, love etc. to come about in one’s life. The second is that your diligence to pray and speak the life and love of God over someone enlarges your heart for that person and situation.
Stephen and I have made it a commitment to pray for our families, friends, nations and government everyday together. Somedays it’s a simple 5 minute time before bed and other times there are several prayers throughout the day for a Praying for you
“I’ve been praying for YOU!”, said with emphasis by many people in reference to praying me in to be Stephen’s wife. Now these kind people didn’t always pray for me by name, but they did agree that Stephen would have a wife who loved the Lord and could partner with him in missions. It’s always funny to me to meet some of these people and hear their stories. The other evening we had dinner with probably one of the sweetest couples in the world! They are in their late 70s and early 80s now and Stephen used to live with them. Brilliant minds and BIG hearts and they have faithfully prayed for Stephen’s wife everyday until I came. The husband actually had an inpatient surgery the week of our wedding and still drove 8 hours roundtrip to attend. As we pulled out of their driveway the other night, my heart was deeply moved. These people out of deep love partnered with my husband to pray me in. They probably never missed a day and came into knowing me with a great heart of love.
This is the power of partnering in prayer for someone. I felt the Holy Spirit say to me years ago, “Don’t tell someone you’ll pray for them if you won’t”. I made this a heart posture to be faithful in the place of praying for others. I’m not 100% sharp on memory all of the time, but I do try my best to remember prayer requests and faithfully follow up with these. The reality is there is such power in prayer and it’s two fold. One is that you are agreeing for God’s healing power, provision, love etc. to come about in one’s life. The second is that your diligence to pray and speak the life and love of God over someone enlarges your heart for that person and situation.
Stephen and I have made it a commitment to pray for our families, friends, nations and government everyday together. Somedays it’s a simple 5 minute prayer time before bed and other times there are several prayers throughout the day for a specific individual or circumstance on our hearts. There is nothing legalistic in diligently lifting up those you love. It edifies your spirit and allows you to feel part of God’s heart and appreciate people more. I’ve seen time and time again the fruit in relationships with whom I’ve prayed for and received prayer from.
Even today, I needed God’s grace and favor and friends to uplift me. I’m so thankful to have friends who love Jesus and will contend for His will for my life. Jesus interceded for His disciples and all of mankind when He was on the Earth even upon the cross! This is a model of what we should do and how we should pray to the Father in the Son’s name for His Spirit to be poured out in our lives.
Practical Tips:
*If you don’t have anyone you’re praying for on a regular basis I encourage you to make a list even if it’s just one name, country or situation. Some people do better with lists, I do better with a prayer map of the nations (and write in the margins those in the US). I guarantee your life will flourish with the love and compassion of Jesus.
*When you pray for them, try to get later on encourage them with a scripture or words that show you believe in them.
*The best time to pray for someone is when you think of it ;) Seriously, write them a note on Facebook, send a text/email, whatever it is and tell them that you’re praying for them. (note: don’t do this while driving ;-) ) If you can’t contact them right then, pray for them and ask Holy Spirit to remind you to encourage them later. I’ve been known to write people’s initials on my hands at various times so that I don’t forget that they were on my heart. Once God knows you’ll be obedient to pray, it’s amazing the things He wants you to partner in prayer for.
*Lastly, if there is ANYONE that you feel that you can not pray for, pray for them :-) Several years ago, God challenged me and told me to pray for someone I didn’t like that the time. He told me to pray for them like I would want someone to pray for me and I did. Today, this person is close in my life and it’s powerful to walk with an upright heart and not be weighed down in bitterness.