“Sorry, all I can do is pray”

A number of times, people have shared such words of apology about their prayers for me. I know that such words are said from hearts of concern and love. These people desire to find some way to help that is tangible, practical, and immediate. I appreciate and understand these expressions of grace and kindness.

My fear, however, is that such a limited view of prayer may cause us to settle for less than God’s best. God is grossly underestimated and we fail to receive God’s invitation to be a part of His Holy motion.

Prayer is never meant to be the last and least we can do. Prayer is always the first and best thing we can do. John Bunyan wrote, “You can do more than pray after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed.”

Prayer is not an afterthought or some kind of spiritual, magical formula uttered to awaken God and ensure His granting our every wish. I wonder how often I have insulted the majesty and sovereignty of God by treating Him like my personal genie in a bottle that I only occasionally let out when I want Him to serve me.

I am discovering in my prayers for others what they need is the One who is their answer. My puny human efforts, no matter how well intended, are an extremely poor substitute for the work of God in their lives. I believe there is nothing better I can do for someone than to immediately take their needs to the throne of grace so that they might receive God’s help in their time of need.

I know I am always in great need of the prayers of others. I also know sometimes all of us are more aware of this need than other times.

Attending church in Kentucky, we watched an especially verbal and boisterous child being hurried out, slung under his irate father's arm. No one in the congregation so much as raised an eyebrow -- until the child captured everyone's attention by crying out in a charming Southern accent, "Ya'll pray for me now!" Jean McMahon

God has been teaching me several things about the privilege of praying for others.

First: God’s will is always the answer of every need.

Often we prefer immediate action to divine intervention. We want what we want when we want it. It seems obvious when someone we love is distressed or in pain to pray for instantaneous deliverance. God’s ways are so different from mine that I may actually pray for the removal of the very thing God is using to conform the person to the image of His son. I must begin with the model prayer of Jesus.

"This, then, is how you should pray: `Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.'"

As I intercede for others, my mission is not to point out their needs to God, but to focus on their need for God. As I revere and worship Him, I become filled with a faith that knows He can easily meet every need. My simple life-changing request is ‘Father, let your will be done.’ Now I have allowed myself and the one I am praying for a little glimpse of Heaven.

Prayer is surrender--surrender to the will of God and cooperation with that will. If I throw out a boathook from the boat and catch hold of the shore and pull, do I pull the shore to me, or do I pull myself to the shore? Prayer is not pulling God to my will, but the aligning of my will to the will of God. E. Stanley Jones

I have regularly asked God that if my requests lead to anything less than His best, then cancel my request and do only His will.

Second: The privilege of praying like Jesus.

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” John 17:20-21

“…because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them”. Hebrews 7:24-25

One of the greatest blessings of this extended time away from home has been the privilege of interceding for others. I pray through our church membership, for my family, friends, and doctors. I especially love to pray for requests that come through our blog site. Each request is like receiving an assignment from God and gives me a feeling of connection and purpose. I treat each request as a precious gift entrusted to my care. I do not get out much these days, so intercessory prayer allows me to break free of physical limitations and join God anywhere in the world.

Third: Prayer allows me to remove the chains of independence and experience the freedom of total dependence on God and the joy of interdependence on other believers.

"Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst.” Matthew 18: 19-20

I wonder what this world would be like if tomorrow we had everything we asked for today?

Intercessory prayer reminds me of how little I can do, and reveals to me that all things are possible with God. When was the last time you were amazed and marveled at our awesome God? Too long? Then take some time through intercessory prayer to hang out in God’s neighborhood. That is where people’s lives are changed and your heart will beat in rhythm with the heart of God. It’s the place where prayers are answered and dreams still come true.

So thank you for praying for me. It is the first and best thing we can do for one another. Together, we will delight in witnessing His divine hands molding our eternal lives.

I am asking God to make the following prayer a reality in my life. Please pray with me. Say, I’m going to the throne room of grace later on – why not e-mail your request and I’ll take it with me?

Strengthened by God and You,
Dan

I asked God for strength that I might achieve.
I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked God for health that I might do greater things.
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy.
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for--but everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am among all men most richly blessed.
Written by an unknown soldier