The first time I really knew God was telling me to pray for someone, right then, was when my grandmother was in the hospital. It was just us two and she asked me to be praying for her and I said of course. And I meant it. But I kept feeling God telling me to pray right then! I'll be honest, it was uncomfortable! I believe my Granny was a Christian but she was very anxious and told me she was. I thanked God for the peace that she could have from the gift of salvation and prayed the prayer of salvation. I thanked Him for Granny and told Him I knew He loved her even more than we did. The next day after eating lunch, her pastor prayed before she left. When those in the room said, "amen" and opened their eyes, Granny had gone to be with Jesus. Everyone was shocked even though she was 96, there was nothing life threatening wrong. Thank You, God that I prayed with her.A gift for me.
Recently I was in the car with Mike when he got a call from someone who had just gotten a cancer diagnosis and he was very scared. Mike knew by the conversation that the gentleman was a Christian. Mike told him he would be praying for him and I knew Mike would because he never misses his devotion and prayer time in the morning. When I got out of the car I heard Mike say, let me pray with you now and he did. I was so proud of Mike because I know that is so hard for some of us but the only way it gets easier is to do it. If someone has done that for you, you probably remember it because it is a gift.
Galatians 6:2 tells us, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” When we pray for one another we are bearing one another’s burdens. It is a loving act to join them in taking their pain to God. We may tell someone we are going to pray for them and then forget. Kind of like on social media if you say you will, then do it right then and every time God brings that person to mind. Ask God to bring that person to mind for you to pray and He will. To pray with a friend you are uniting with them before the throne of God, carrying their burden.
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