Tuesday 11 November 2008

Pray for each other

The best gift to give a friend is to pray for them. You don't necessarily need to tell them even. Some of the best things I do for friends, they don't know about.

Make a list of your best friends. Use it to go one by one in prayer on their behalf.

Now make a list of the people you don't particularly get along with...and pray for them one by one as well.

At the end of this time, you will have spent more time with God. That makes you better...and God has heard of your heart on the people you've brought before Him.

Make a practise of it.

3 John 1:2 (MSG)
2 We're the best of friends, and I pray for good fortune in everything you do, and for your good health—that your everyday affairs prosper, as well as your soul!

11 comments:

jeff said...

this is blessed post to me. And the verse shared also. Thank you Jim, my friend. You are in my prayers even as I write.

Anonymous said...

As you are well aware we will be doing just this on Sunday at Greensborough. Sorry that you can't be with us but looking forward Cmmr. Carolyn joining with us. We will be going on a Prayer walk around our neighbourhood in the afternoon praying for those who live in the homes surrounding our Church. God will bless our effort - we BELIEVE.

jeff said...

I don't like to comment too much, but the prayer walk idea around your neighborhood just excited my soul so much I couldn't keep quiet. That is so right! I stand in belief with you!

So encouraging.

Brian's Blog said...

For those on Facebook, we have a great prayer list to start with.

Blessings!!!

Anonymous said...

For Brian's info we also have a great prayer list at Greensborough but it never hurts to add to any prayer list. God bless you.

Anonymous said...

What do readers think of the following view of prayer:

http://religionismanmade.blogspot.com/2008/11/proving-that-prayer-is-superstition.html

Anonymous said...

PRAYER IS THE WORK...THE OXYGEN TO OUR SPIRITUAL LIVES & INDEED THE LIFE OF ANY CHURCH.

PHILIPPIANS4:6-7,MATTHEW 6:5-13
Note Jesus says : 'WHEN YOU PRAY'V5V6,V7. PLEASE LET US ALL PRAY, PRAY,PRAY .When .....not if !

jeff said...

anonymous,
I remember the day I prayed that very prayer in my life. And I was laying in the 34 degree February north Atlantic ocean trying to make it true. Feeling every bit the despair and perhaps more because I never would have had the energy or impetus write it on a blog like you have. I was in the process of taking my life when I prayed that. And for whatever reason, God chose to answer that one, by taking my miserable life and giving me a new one. Not immediately. It took 7 years and is still working it. So in case it was because someone was praying for me at that very moment, I am praying for you at this very moment. Having someone care about your life must mean something doesn't it? God does not always answer our prayers in the manner we think we need him to. HE answers them in the manner we don't think we need Him to. Read my story Anon. It never stops. You and your mind are exactly who God loves and is keeping an eye on. That is why you are here now. The despair is overwhelming, I know first hand. But HE already is answering your prayers. In in fact if this post is sincere and not just a criticism of sorts. Before I got to the prayer you just uttered I had already emptied myself of tears and curses and yells. Are you done? Don't stop screaming at Him until you are empty. Don't stop screaming at us until that is so. At the end of your anger, At the end of your pain,when you are just plain worn out and done, utterly exhausted, There you will find what you seek. You won't have to take my word for it. You'll know it for yourself first hand.I won't stop praying for you no matter how long it takes.

http://joymadecomplete.blogspot.com/

Jim Knaggs said...

The following comment was posted prior to Jeff's. I would normally remove the comment because the feelings expressed misrepresent God. This blog is intended to honour God.

I do want to re-post the comment here with the understanding that I do so in the possibility that it is an honest expression of a seeker we cannot ignore.

"Anonymous said...

Prayer does not work. I have had direct experience of prayer not working.

God is unreachable. I have had direct experience of God not listening.

I'd rather suicide out of overwhelming depression than believe a mind-numbing lie.

Here is my final prayer to God: please kill me today and fling my evil soul into eternal torment."

God will answer the true heart of this prayer, but not in the way the seeker requests in writing. God be with you, friend.

Anonymous said...

When one collects hundreds, possibly thousands, of names in a computer database, can one's prayer be something like "I pray for all the people in the database"?

Or does God at least expect one to print them out and point to the paper? Or should one rattle off all the names - would make praying a little too long, though.

Jim Knaggs said...

Prayers like these are often offered.

One of the beautiful effects of extended time in prayer is simply being with God. I recommend the experience.