praying for others

…and he has declared to us your love in the Spirit. For this reason also, from the day we heard, we have not ceased praying Colossians 1:8

I must confess I have a hard time praying for people I don’t know. Each week our church’s bulletin spotlights a missionary in some part of the world. I see the picture and read what they are doing and see their prayer needs. Since I have no contact with them, they usually don’t stay on my mind.
Our Sunday school class, however, has adopted a handful of these missionaries. I see many more photos and read correspondence about ministry opportunities, challenges, joys, heartaches, and prayer requests. We also have the opportunity to meet them as they come to our class when they are in the States.
Epaphras helped bridge the gap for Paul that he might be drawn to pray for the Colossians. His firsthand testimony gave Paul the insight and motivation to pray effectively for them.
If you do not know what God is doing beyond the city limits of your town, I want to encourage you to expand your horizons. It is hard to pray for someone you don’t know, but much joy can come in seeing God work in places beyond your own sphere. Numerous missionaries would love for you to join them in prayer and would be thrilled to begin corresponding with you.
Will you spend the time necessary to build relationships with someone you don’t know for the sake of participating in the gospel. Ask your pastor or your denomination how you can begin corresponding with a missionary. If that doesn’t work, ask me. Praying for others benefits them and can motivate us to participate in God’s work where we live.

~ by Michael on September 5, 2008.