Asking For Prayer and Praying For Others

The other day I woke up feeling terrible. Cali came in my room, like she always does, happy and ready to go for the day. She climbed up on the bed and we started talking. I tried so hard to seem ok but that lasted all of two seconds. As we talked I told her I wasn't feeling well and that she needed to give mommy a few more minutes to sleep. She said sure, and as she started to leave to go play, I asked her to come back. I asked her to pray for me to feel better. She said sure and right then and there prayed for mommy to get healed. When she left I laid there with my eyes closed but couldn't sleep. I began to smile and think about how my four year old daughter had just prayed for her mommy so willingly and without reservation. It wasn't the words she said, but her actions that made my heart happy. 

So often when people ask for prayer we say sure, I'll pray for you, but then never do. Our intention is good, and we know that we should pray for one another, but I bet it rarely happens the way it should. We go off into our lives and push those requests into the back of our mind. The daily grind gets in the way and we tell ourselves that we will lift those requests up later. On the flip side, how many of us ask for prayer, knowing that others will truly pray for us. Many times I don't even bother with prayer requests, because I either don't want to be a burden on another, or I know that it won't be a priority in someone else's prayer life, so there is no point in bringing it up.

In 1 Timothy 2:1-4, Paul writes to Timothy, urging him that "requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone... that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." 

What if we, just for one day, actually spent time praying for all those people asking for prayer? What if we, for one day, actually asked people to pray for us in confidence that they would? How would, not only our lives, but our world be different?

Knowing that prayers and thanksgiving from us and for others not only brings peace, godliness and holiness, but also pleases God, why would we not want to pray for others? Why would we not want them to pray for us? Think about how many people might come to know Him through our prayers. How many people may be able to experience His glory when what they prayed for actually comes to fruition? And as a parent, how often do you give your children the opportunity to experience all that by asking them to pray for you?

I was able to sleep that morning for about another half an hour. When my eyes opened and my ears heard the joyous giggles coming from the other room, I sat up and realized that I actually felt better. Most of the time I'd say that it was from getting to sleep a little longer. But that morning, I know, that it was because I confidently asked for prayer and heard a sweet, little voice actually pray with confidence, for healing.