Christian Living
First of all, I ask you to pray for everyone. Ask God to help and bless them all, and tell God how thankful you are for each of them. Pray for kings and others in power, so that we may live quiet and peaceful lives as we worship and honor God. This kind of prayer is good, and it pleases God our Savior. {1 Timothy 2:1-3}
It's important to know what's going on all around you while driving. Failing to check your blind spot before making a move could cause quite a bit of destruction. But we tend to monitor that area only when we need to change lanes. We don't really give the blind spot too much focus unless it concerns us.
Some of us have blind spots in our prayer lives too. I don't intentionally overlook people in my prayers, but I find myself unconcerned with others until I'm moved by their actions. I have no trouble recalling all the things I want and need; the things that make my life easier and better; the things other people need to make my life easier and better! If I'm directly affected, I'm praying for it! But what we all need to grasp is that prayer for others is not just a favor for someone, but a responsibility. It's so important to lift others up to the Father in prayer. Too often we hear news from friends and family that triggers that knee-jerk "I'll be praying for you" response. But how often do we follow through? And only God knows where that person would be right now if we had just been praying all along......
I would be disobeying the LORD if I stopped praying for you! {1 Samuel 12:23 CEV}
It's our obligation to pray for those in community service - police officers, firefighters, etc; community leaders; the military; the president and those in his administration; world leaders. And let's not forget the homeless, the hungry, the sick, the orphaned and certainly those who are NOT believers AND followers of Jesus Christ.
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. {Galatians 6:2}
However, I feel we need to be particularly fervent in prayer for our church leaders and servants as well as our brothers and sisters in Christ. They often fall into our blind spots because we assume they have it all together spiritually. But the truth is, no one is exempt from Satan's attempts to deceive. If he tried to tempt Jesus [Matthew 4:1-11], you and I are certainly on his list of prey! We need to pray for our pastors (not just our own!), other servant leaders and missionaries - that they would remain focused on God, guided by His will and under the Lord's protection. We need to prayer for other believers - that they would continue to seek His face daily and grow stronger every day in their faith and wisdom in the Lord God.
A body is made up of many parts, and each of them has its own use. That's how it is with us. There are many of us, but we each are part of the body of Christ, as well as part of one another. {Romans 12:4-5 CEV}
You see, when we overlook these "blind spots" in prayer, we give the enemy the perfect opportunity to infiltrate The Body of Christ. When one part becomes infected, the whole body suffers. If your pastor is being attacked spiritually, it may affect his or her focus in communicating The Word effectively to you and the rest of the congregation. If your fellow church members are not making Biblically based decisions, they may contribute to the struggles of their family, friends, the church, local missions and outreach. And so on. We are all connected. And we are all accountable.
I know that seems overwhelming! Some of us barely have time to keep ourselves on track spiritually. So try using a journal or notebook. Jot down whatever God lays on your heart for others, and refer back to your list in your daily quiet time with the Lord. Listen to the Holy Spirit's prompting and change your list weekly or even monthly to other areas of focus. It doesn't have to be complicated or formal. God appreciates our every effort to strengthen The Body of Christ!
I ask the glorious Father and God of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you his Spirit. The Spirit will make you wise and let you understand what it means to know God. My prayer is that light will flood your hearts and that you will understand the hope that was given to you when God chose you. Then you will discover the glorious blessings that will be yours together with all of God's people. {Ephesians 1:17-18}
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