Praying for Your Friends

Since January, I have been studying the Old Testament and have had some things that have been on my heart.  Besides the more obvious theme of obedience for our own good, I continue to find examples of God’s heart when it comes to asking Him to help those we care about.  I have also seen how He continually acts for the sole purpose of having a personal relationship with us.  When His people seek the same, we find a real, two-way relationship with the living God.

In Genesis 18 and 19, God shared with Abraham that he would destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.  Abraham relentlessly asks God to save any of those righteous among the cities.  The Lord sent two angels to rescue Lot’s family (Abraham’s nephew).

When Moses spends 40 days/nights on Mount Sinai, receiving the 10 commandments from God, the Israelites became impatient and corrupt building a golden calf.  God became angry and told Moses to leave Him alone so His anger could burn against them and so He could destroy them.  Moses “sought the favor of the Lord” and petitioned God to turn from His fierce anger and asked Him to not bring disaster upon His chosen people.  Moses reminds the Lord of His former promises and work to deliver them from Egypt, reasoning with God.  The Lord then “relented and did not bring upon them, the disaster He had threatened” (Exodus 32: 7-14).

We can begin to see God’s grace multiply when His people show compassion and care for others.  We can directly speak to God, through prayer, because of what Jesus did for us on the cross.  I read a Moundy Thursday blog yesterday entitled The Greatest Prayer in the World by John Piper on http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/the-greatest-prayer-in-the-world-maundy-thursday.   Hebrews 5:7 says, “In the days of His flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of His reverence.”  “Being in agony he prayed more earnestly” (Luke 22:44). There aren’t many times where I have prayed this way for myself or my family, let alone for my friends.  Keep in mind that Jesus served His disciples, by washing their feet, before he went to pray for Himself (John 13: 1-17).

Look at the example of God allowing the great sufferings of His servant Job.  In Job 42: 7-11, even when Job’s friends blamed him for his afflictions, Job prayed for them.  After Job prayed for his friends, God lifted Job’s afflictions and blessed him even more greatly than before.  When our friends do us wrong, make us angry, or accuse us, is our first inclination to pray for them?!

What is reoccurring in these events is the personal relationship God wants with us. These men had personal contact with the Lord and a two-way relationship with Him.  He listens.  He acts in the best interest of us.  He knows our hearts and what is weighing on the minds of our friends.

You may say, “Who am I to pray for someone?” or “Why would God listen to me?”  God uses many people in the Bible who, like us, are disobedient sinners needing healing.  I have found that praying for my friends brings about healing, it makes forgiveness real, and it brings stronger faith and patience.  It is life changing for me and the lives of whom I pray for.  Most importantly, it cultivates a stronger relationship with the Lord.  Is it easier to pray only for the people who haven’t wronged you, yes.  Is it easier to focus on ourselves and our own issues, definitely.  However, asking God to bless your friends, with a servant’s heart, is an exponentially greater blessing.