PRAYING FOR OTHERS
The Lord encourages those whom he has prayed for and saved to “pray for each other” and “build each other up” (James 5:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:11). And he urges his believers to pray for the salvation of “all people.” For He wants all people to repent and to come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:1-6; 2 Peter 3:9). “For 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).
JESUS CHRIST PRAYED FOR THE SALVATION OF HIS DISCIPLES AND OTHERS
When Jesus was about to leave his disciples, he said to the Father, “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message” (John 17:20).
Our Savior now intercedes for believers before our Father who is in heaven (Hebrew 7:25)
THE DISCIPLES OF JESUS PRAYED FOR THE SALVATION OF OTHERS
Jesus told his disciples to reach out to others in the world with the gospel, for the salvation of people (Acts 1:8). The disciples were praying together on the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came and gave them the power to effectively reach many people with the gospel of Jesus Christ. About three thousand people were saved when they heard the gospel, repented and believed in Jesus as their Savior. (Acts 2).
The apostle Paul repeatedly asked churches to pray that he would be productive in proclaiming the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ. The apostle recognized that in praying, God may open the hearts of people to be receptive to the word of God:
- 2 THESSALONIANS 3:1-2–Pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course.
- COLOSSIANS 4:3–Pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ,
- EPHESIANS 6:19–Pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,
- 1 TIMOTHY 2:1–Pray for all people; ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf,
I LEARNED TO PRAY FOR OTHERS
As a young boy lying in bed at night, I remember hearing my Christ-like grandmother praying for members of the family. The Lord saved me and other family members. And evidently he gave me my grandmother’s burden of praying for family and others. I feel the need to pray for family and others. And I sense the need to pray for and support those whom God has gifted as willing workers to reaches others with the gospel of salvation.
GOD WILL REWARD US FOR PRAYING FOR OTHERS
God is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
It is God’s will that we pray for all people—family, friends and others. The Word of God says, the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective, and accomplishes much (James 5:16). But only God knows the heart of people, and those who will repent and believe in his Son for their salvation (Acts 2:38).
However, our Father, who sees everything we do for him and others, will reward us now and in heaven (Matthew 6:4; Mark 10:30). And In heaven we will “know fully” the results of our prayers; and all who were saved by the sacrificial blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 13:12; John 3:16).
