Countless people will ask someone to pray for them today. There are at least two kind of people who make such requests. The first is someone who feels inadequate to approach God on their own or a person they feel is more apt to get an favorable answer then them. But, there is a third category, now that I think about it.

Job's friends proved they were not in a place to properly pray for him, but they didn't ask him to pray for them either. Still, Job did it anyway. What do you call someone who prays for another person even though that person doesn't deserve it and hasn't asked for it? You call them "Christ" like.

Isn't that just what Jesus did for each of us. Undeserving and often apathetic concerning our need for prayer, Scripture says Jesus lives to ever intercede for us regardless. And aren't you glad? If he didn't, we'd have no hope. But because He prays for us, we have help and hope and the assurance that we can come confidently before the throne of God. We can do this because He is so worthy, and he has given us the same privilege - in His Name.

If the story ended there, it would be enough, but there's more. You see, because of Christ's ministry and the privilege afforded us, we are bound to be ambassadors in Jesus' Name. That means a lot, but one way to look at it, it to consider our responsiblity to bear the needs of others in His Name. And the first way to do that is through the ministry of prayer.

You might be saying, no one asks me to pray for them and if they did, I wouldn't know where to start. If that's the case, you need only fill your heart and mind with the word of God and cast your care of Him, and you'll find yourself not only praying for others, but also insterceding for them before God's throne. Some think prayer and intercession are the same, but Jesus showed that prayer is what you see God doing in someone's life. Intercession is when you make to change their situation to be in line with God's will.

Are you praying for someone? You have a ministry, but the question is: will you ask God to teach you how to do it?

1 Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( Jb. 40:1-42:17 2 Co. 5:12-21 Ps. 45:1-17 Pr. 22:14 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

Copyright © 1998-2004 James R. Green and Prayertower Ministries
All Rights Reserved