Ask for Prayer and Pray for Others

Don’t Forget

Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me. — Romans 15:30

The apostle Paul was traveling from Corinth to Jerusalem with money for the Jerusalem church. Knowing the Jews in Jerusalem would be eager to persecute him, he wrote to the church in Rome, asking for their prayers

that [he] may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe. — Romans 15:31

Prayer is often the forgotten ingredient in spiritual warfare. In Paul’s classic passage on the believer’s spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:10–18), prayer is often neglected. But it is Paul’s final admonition:

With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints. — Ephesians 6:18 NASB

It is as if Paul was saying, “Once you are clothed with God’s armor against Satan, you must win the battle on the field of prayer!” He made the point by asking for prayer for himself against the temptation to fear the repercussions from preaching the Gospel (Ephesians 6:19–20). Be clothed with God’s spiritual armor — but don’t neglect to pray for strength and steadfastness against “the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).

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Intercession

Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me. — Romans 15:30

In the sentencing phase of a trial, the judge will often allow individuals to address the court to influence the judge’s decision about the sentence. Some are there to ask for a harsh sentence. But others are there out of love. They understand the need for justice, but they also are there to ask for mercy and fairness. Those are complicated situations, but

unconditional love will always try to intercede.

Think of Jesus on the Cross. He was totally innocent, His killers totally guilty. Yet, out of love for His enemies, He interceded; He asked God to forgive them. But intercession is about more than forgiveness. It is about asking God to do what we can’t. Paul asked the Roman church to pray “through the love of the Spirit” for his protection when he traveled to Jerusalem. The church in Rome couldn’t protect Paul themselves, but out of love they prayed that God would protect the great apostle.

There are many ways to express love to others. Perhaps the most sacrificial way is to pray for God to bless, protect, and provide for those we love.

Excerpted with permission from Ever Faithful by David Jeremiah, copyright David Jeremiah.

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Your Turn

Pray for yourself. Ask for prayer. If you have a need that only God can fulfill, pray is the answer. The same is true for others. It’s the best gift we can gift another person! Come share your thoughts with us on our blog. We want to hear from you!