Thursday Devotion

“I’ll Pray for You”

by Rhoda Barnhart

“My thoughts & prayers are with you”. We hear it —on radio & TV broadcasts, in church, and see it on face book, greeting cards, and more.

How about follow-up? For instance –you run into a friend at the grocery store. In a brief visit you learn she/he has a scary diagnosis and is concerned. It’s easy to say “I’ll pray for you.” Or find an encouraging card to send & add “I’ll be praying for you.” And does that happen? As other demands pile up—does that promise get fulfilled? For many of us I suspect it sometimes gets “lost in the shuffle.” Or, perhaps we observe a need, and simply “feel bad” for that person.

Let’s remember: “… the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5: 16.)

Prayers don’t have to be long, spoken aloud, grammatically correct, or done while kneeling. God wants us to pray and develop a relationship with Him. A simple prayer-time a friend observes is one I’ve adopted. When the fire siren rings she prays for the first responders, firefighters and victim(s) needing help. Another brief prayer-time I’ve adopted is: when I’m driving behind slow moving farm equipment, I pray for the farmer: his/her safety, crops, family—and patiently wait during the delay.

At the end of the day, before drifting off to sleep we can ask ourselves—did I pray for the needs of anyone—or myself today? God is near—as one hymn writer puts it: “He’s Only a Prayer Away.”

Vs.1 “There’s someone who loves every sinner, He’s calling, O hear Him today; “Tis Jesus, our blessed redeemer, He’s only a prayer away.

Vs. 2 He has an infinite power, and so many things He can do; He’ll be ready to help you, Just ask Him to come to you.

Vs. 3 When others forsake and desert you, and you’re in the depth of despair; Let God share your burden and sorrow, Just seek Him and He’ll be there.

Chorus: He’s only a prayer away, He’s only a prayer away; God will be with you whenever you pray. He’s only a prayer away.”

If you’ve been feeling a need/desire to have a closer relationship with God/Jesus, a good place to start is with prayer. If unsure how to pray—-do it as you would talk to a friend. Beloved by many, this hymn explains “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.”

Vs. 1 “What a Friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry Every thing to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer.”

Verses 2 & 3 describe how we can benefit by taking our burdens,sorrows, and cares to God in prayer. “Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Help us remember when we, loved ones, or friends are burdened with cares that You’re listening, 24/7, —waiting for our prayers.