How to Pray for Others

The most powerful act anyone can perform is to pray for others. The power, though, is not in the praying, but in God, who answers each prayer with His perfection. Paul provided us with an example of one of the most effective prayers we can utter. He prayed that the Colossian church:

• May be filled with the knowledge of God's will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. What a great gesture to ask God to make known for someone the precise, exact decisions He wishes them to make in every circumstance. Because this leads to:

  • Walking in a manner pleasing to and worthy of the Lord. This means you desire that every moment of someone's life will be spent hand in hand with the Lord and will count eternally and not just for the moment.

  • Bearing fruit in every good work. This means that we want someone to be so Christ-centered that He is ever glorified by their thoughts, conversation, conduct, and character.

  • Increasing in the knowledge of God. There is not a more loving request than that of wanting someone to grow closer to our heavenly Father.

  • Being strengthened and sustained with the power of God. Within this evil world, we need the supernatural power of God to help us bear up under the pressure and continue the good race.

  • Giving thanks to God who qualified them to share in His Kingdom through the work of His Son. This means we want them to recognize and live thankfully for the Sacrifice and Gift we have in Jesus Christ. There is nothing for which we should be more appreciative.

So, if we truly want God’s best for someone, will we not faithfully pray the same for them? God is amazing! His word is amazing! Use it regularly and expect miracles in your life and in the lives of those you pray for.