I'll Pray for You

A seemingly innocuous statement, with good intention, "I'll pray for you."   It sort of dawned on me last night just how awesome and powerful this can be in the lives of believers.

The writer of Hebrews 4:16 invites us to boldly approach the throne of grace, God's throne, to petition Him directly.  We see this as a tremendous privilege, to be able to go to Him one-on-one with our needs, cares, and concerns.  Hopefully we remember to bring our praise, thanksgiving, and worshipful respect as well.  Yet I believe we may sometimes give much of this prayer privilege a bit of lip service, not fully aware of what we are saying we will do, or what we are even asking people to do when we ask them to pray for us.

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth," a basic theological truth from Genesis 1:1, and this creation theme is one that carries through Scripture.  The prophets remind Israel of God being Creator many times, the Psalms echo the truth as well.  Jesus is named that same Creator in Colossians, as well as in John's gospel.  It is is an Almighty God who can create from nothing.  I was reminded of this last evening, watching a beautiful sunset, beholding the beauty of God's creation, even fallen as it is now.

And there have been many instances lately where I have told people I will pray for them, and where people have reciprocated the sentiment.  So without hyperbole, and without being dramatic, I have literally told someone that I will personally and spiritually approach God's throne, and ask Him to personally intervene on someone's behalf, whether that someone is me or another.  Further, I have asked someone else to do the same, to boldly approach the throne of the Creator of the universe, and ask Him to help me out, to care for a need I have.

My challenge to me, and hopefully to you as well, is to be aware of what God expects of us, if we desire to be so bold as to pray to Him.  A believer in His Son as Savior is the start, followed by the ongoing desire and demonstration of living for Him.  When you ask me to pray, you ask a great deal, rightly so.  And when I ask a believer to do the same, I expect much of him or her.  It's the way God wants it.  And when we are at the end of our human abilities, God reminds us that there He sits, waiting for us to come to Him, no matter the situation we face.

Let't go to the Creator often, boldly, on His terms, and ask Him to be so very active in our lives.  Psalm 91:1 says "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty."
What a great place to be.

Pray for me, will you?  I'll do the same for you.  What a powerful tool we have at the ready.


Holding fast to the Name of our Creator