BENEFITS OF PRAYING FOR ONE ANOTHER
The Bible says, “pray for one another” (James 5:16). Israel benefited from Moses praying for them. We benefit from Jesus Christ praying for us. And our prayers for others benefits them and us.
BENEFITS OF MOSES PRAYING FOR GOD’S PEOPLE
Moses was on a mountain communicating with the Lord on behalf Israel, God’s Old Testament people. While Moses had been away, they built a golden idol calf to worship. When he came down and saw that they were sinning against God, he interceded and asked God to “please forgive their sin.” Rather than destroy all the people he loved, he disciplined them with a plague. (Exodus 32:30-33).
“Whom the Lord loves, he disciplines,” as a loving father disciplines his children (Hebrews 12:6-7).
BENEFITS OF JESUS PRAYING FOR US
Jesus agonized in prayer to be able to die in agony on the cross for our sins. He had finished all the other work his Father gave him to do for us. However, before he actually gave his life on the cross, he prayed that the Father would keep those who had believed in him. And in petitioning the Father, the Lord said, “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message.” (John 17:6-20).
Jesus knew God does not desire that anyone should perish because of their sin, but that whoever should repent and believe in God’s only begotten Son, would not perish but have eternal life. (2 Peter 3:9; Acts 2:38). God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
BENEFITS OF PRAYING FOR ONE ANOTHER
The Word of God says, “do not merely look out for our own personal interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4).
PRAYING FOR BELIEVERS
The Lord tells us to “pray especially for those of the household of faith;” and to “bear one another’s burdens.” (Galatians 6:2, 10).
All of us have experienced some adversities in this life—trials, sickness, death of loved ones, financial difficulties and various problems. The Lord has helped us all in some ways. As a result, we are able to help each other with the same help which the Lord has helped us. (2 Corinthians 1:4).
PRAYING FOR UNBELIEVERS
The Word of God urges “that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people.” (1 Timothy 2:1-6).
In praying to the God about the burdens of others, the Lord, relieves us from much of the stress and weight of our own problems and adversities (Matthew 5:7). For “Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God interceding for us” (Romans 8:34).
