Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.  If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. – Galatians 6:2-3

One of the best ways to know someone’s heart and mind is to spend time praying for them. Once you make that kind of commitment, to invest yourself into someone’s life, you begin to fulfill the law of Christ. Instead of just talking about love, praying for someone “puts your money where your mouth is.”

Why is intercessory prayer so important?

When someone asks me how they can pray for me it takes away a part of the burden. Sometimes I wonder if it’s just a friendly exchange, like “what can I do to help?” or “we’re here if you ever need anything.” But other times I can see (by someone’s persistence) that they mean it, they want to pray and help share in the burden I’m hauling around. And it works.

When you tell someone you want to help by praying for them, take a hold of their arm, look him/her in the eye closely and say in a determined voice – I am going to pray for you, tell me how. Why not stop right then and there and just pray?

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.  -Ephesians 6:18

When others are praying for me, it’s a constant reminder that when I’m going through the storm I know I’m not alone. Maybe that’s most of the terror – the darkness of being alone while suffering. Practicing our faith means being faithful to pray for others AND to go public with this practice. Being faithful means being accountable. When I promise to pray, I’m also making a commitment to stand with someone through their storm.

We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.  And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.  – 2 Corinthians 1:8-11

God involves more of his church in his will for our lives when we participate in intercessory prayer. When the church received the Holy Spirit the first report was that they were of one heart and one mind. The more they prayed for one another, the stronger their bonds of love grew. They began to sell their possessions and give to those in need. When we pray for others, when our bonds of love grow our actions become shaped by God’s will. It becomes more normal for us to love God and to love others.

When we pray for each other – we are making the work of God here on earth that much more real. We are participating in heaven on earth.

I don’t know how people survive some of the disasters that come in life. I have said so many times that having this cloud of witnesses all around who are praying for me and with me every step of the way have kept me alive through thick and thin.

For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance. – Philippians 1:19

“We never know how God will answer our prayers, but we can expect that He will get us involved in His plan for the answer. If we are true intercessors, we must be ready to take part in God’s work on behalf of the people for whom we pray.”  ― Corrie ten Boom

What should you do right now?

1. Find people to pray for, tell them and make sure they know you mean it
2. Check in regularly to find out how your prayers have been answered
3. Be persistent in your praying – keep the burden in front of everyone’s eyes and in front of God
4. Make praying an integral part of your daily routine – talk to God about all the people in your life – consider it a sacred duty.

“Prayer should not be regarded as a duty which must be performed, but rather as a privilege to be enjoyed, a rare delight that is always revealing some new beauty.” – E.M. Bounds