1 Sam 12:23 As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. NIV Eph 1:16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. NIV Col 1:9 So ever since we first heard about you we have kept on praying and asking God to help you understand what he wants you to do; asking him to make you wise about spiritual things; TLB
Is There a Balance?
Is there a balance between making petitions to the Father on behalf of ourselves and others who are not our own kin or connected with us in some way? If there is a proper priority, then exactly what is it? How much time should we spend asking for our “Daily Bread” as opposed to interceding for others not close to us?
Over 35 years ago I preached an unpopular message in Cleveland, Tennessee on the subject of The 3 P’s that Hinder Missions. They were: 1) Prejudice 2) Procrastination 3) Improper Priorities. Even though it has been over 3 decades ago, I recall the struggle in urging long-time Christians to do what God said to do in reaching the lost nations – now! It got deeper as I dared mention that they might not be following God’s priorities. Then the big one was even suggesting that there could be prejudice in the lives of believers. I was not talking about social injustice or political contradictions. Examples were given of how vehemently believers petition God on behalf of sick or lost loved ones or family members. Yet, when asked to pray for the unsaved “heathen” in foreign lands yawns appear along with sleepy eyes.
We should not be shocked when faced with the truth about ourselves. Jesus was facing His most difficult day on earth as a man when asking the disciples to just watch and pray with Him for one hour. They all were overcome with sleep and could not stay awake to pray. To put it plainly, it was not their own skin on the line! Jesus was being kind when He said that their “spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak”.
Personal Observation
This is a balance that I seek on nearly a daily basis. We all are such “needy people”! Our families are in financial, emotional and spiritual crisis most of the time. There are those who would debate that statement, but many are also in denial or not fully awake spiritually awake or aware of the danger their family is in right now! I am reminded of the historical claim that Nero fiddled as Rome burned. Not all is gloom and doom! But there are tremendous needs among those closest to us in most every aspect of life.
How can we connect spiritually or emotionally with those who are geographically far from us? We don’t know what their daily life is like. We don’t know about their culture, food or customs. Some information can be gleaned from the Internet, but not enough to inspire us to give in mission offerings or to spend extended time in prayer on their behalf. It is even hard with those of the same ethnic or political background. To be honest, I am very concerned, for example, that Japanese believers get a burden to reach other Japanese with the Gospel. It has been over 460 years since the Gospel was first heard in Japan! Thousands of foreign missionaries have labored and strived to share God’s Love here. The final thrust must be Japanese reaching Japanese.
Prayer Aids
Out of sight out of mind! This phrase contains much truth for most of us. For those whom we have never met or haven’t seen for extended periods of time, it becomes rare for us to even think about them. How can we pray effectively for those whose very being does not enter into our consciousness? We often hear believers remark how that God brought someone’s face before them or reminded them to pray for a person far away. That is refreshing and wonderful when it occurs. But is that enough? Is it God’s responsibility to remind us to pray for others? We don’t need reminders when we or family members are facing crises. It is not hard to stay up late at night or arise in the middle of the night when awakened or prompted by the Holy Spirit to pray for the needs close at hand.
Since we heard Jesus say that the disciples had willing spirits, but weak flesh, it seems this might be a problem that we can approach and work upon to some degree, by ourselves. I believe man tends to forget things that are not that important to him. Just plain reality! For many, we can improve if a habit can be formed or if there are some kind of memory aids to be employed in the situation. Those who have trouble getting up in the mornings there are alarm clocks which are pre-programmed to the desired time. A noise is emitted loud enough to arouse the sleeper. In some cases, after using an alarm clock over a period of time they can form a habit and begin to wake up on time without any assistance. Jesus appeared to have a habit of awaking before the dawn and going out alone to pray to His Father.
I use some of the following to help me to think about and pray for others who are not near to me or closely connected:
1. Prayer Journal. This is used to write special requests and to note when answers come.
2. Intercessory Prayer List. This list of people, places, and needs has grown over the years. It began with simply writing down all the family members’ names I could think of. Then the list branches out to acquaintances, church friends, neighbors, and people met on airplanes, in stores, online prayer requests and etc. The list has grown quite long and takes over an hour just to read through briefly. This keeps people before me on a daily basis. By the way, it is a great memory aid too!
3. Maps and list of cities and nations. This allows me to “see” a region or area when looking over the map on a daily basis. Then there are lists of nations and cities that are read and prayed over daily also. In the midst of “reading” these names and places the Holy Spirit frequently prompts special prayer or intercession to made for the person or place.
4. Modern technology can be employed in aiding memory and connecting with those who are far away or “out of sight”. Emails, prayer requests, cell phone text messages, Internet social networking sites, and Skype video and audio calls and prayer conferencing help overcome the “disconnect” that hinders our prayers for others.
Note
Technology cannot take the place of prayer! It is a set of tools to help us. Prayer is still prayer! At times prayer is a struggle or battle against the forces of darkness. Sometimes it is a struggle with our own flesh. Prayer is about a relationship, first and foremost between the believer and the Heavenly Father. It is a joy to be in His Presence whether we are listening or talking to Him about ourselves or others.
Conclusion
I realize the term balance was used at the beginning of this blog. It appears that I have mainly focused on prayer for others rather than self. I don’t think most of us have any problems in praying for self or family needs. When the need arises most believers hit their knees. Of course, we could do more in the area of “preventive prayer” rather than “problem prayer”. So it seemed good today to remind you once again there are others out there. Out of sight, who need you to come to the Father on their behalf! He is waiting for someone with love and compassion to agree with Him so that far away person can be saved, healed, delivered, have needs met, be protected in danger and finally just to be blessed.
May God bless you as you pray for self and others too!
Dan Corbett
“Reaching One Among Millions”
P.S. Don’t sin in failing to pray for others! 1 Samuel 12:23
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