So much of the Bible speaks to prayer and talking and listening to God, and many times the best we seem to come up with in prayer is a short, memorized script that we say at mealtimes and bedtime.
My husband and I have to work to encourage our children to push themselves a little further to think about someone else and pray for them. Wow--what a struggle!
As adults, though, we too can certainly be that way, always focused on what we need or want right now without much regard for our sick or hurting friends and neighbors. We also can forget the awesomeness of the Almighty God to whom we are praying--taking his power and might and favor for granted.
Today, precious sister, I would encourage you to go a little further, a little deeper, and maybe even take yourself out of the picture when you pray (or at least at the end of the list), and ask for God to move in the lives of the people that come to mind when you are praying. And don't forget to continue watching and waiting for God's answers!
"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." (Ephesians 6:18)
"With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith." (2 Thessalonians 1:11)
"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." (James 5:16)
by Wendie Beddingfield
picture by Julia Freeman-Woolpert
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