This is My Prayer for You
Asking personal questions can sometimes produce a firestorm of answers. What kind of a world would it be if we truly shared the real and authentic answer to the question that has been a common greeting:
“How are you?”
Last week someone asked me that question and then just kept on walking away. By the time I turned to see who belonged to the voice, their back was in front of me! I knew this person well, so I decided to call them on it.
“Would you really like to know how I am? Or should I just say ‘fine’ and move on?”
The snapshot of their face sticks in my mind. It was something of surprise mingled with quite a bit of embarrassment. No words were necessary for me to know that this person did care for an authentic answer, had not meant to brush me off, and was interested in more than being cordial. We connected for about one minute and laughed about the messages our pleasantries convey at times.
It got me thinking. How does our outwardly casual way of greeting cheat those around us? Do I personally convey what’s on my heart and mind for those in my family, church, and community, and for our Holy Hen House community? What about those I encounter when I am out and about? How could I be more in tune with what they need and not be invasive or intruding?
There’s so much pain in the world. And lately I’ve been struck by the sheer amount of prayers we pray for others during worship, at Bible class and in personal interactions. With the Corona virus starting to run rampant and reports of surgeries – hip and knee replacements and the like – it seems as if all we can pray for is health.
While physical health is so very important, I wonder if our focus on mainly our bodies is missing the target of what God desires most for our prayers to be. Of course, the answer can be found in God’s Word.
Prayers Found in Scripture
The search in scriptures for prayer revealed some amazing prayers! God’s people have asked for protection, for godly spouses, for strength, to make good decisions, for property, to cause others no pain, for blessings, and to show thankfulness. They pray for healing, for guidance, for perseverance, for spiritual health.
Prayers are said standing up, sitting down, kneeling, with faces to the ground and with hands lifted up. Sometimes prayers contain many words. We are even told that the Holy Spirit acts as our interpreter when we are so overwrought with emotion that we cannot find any words.
One blog states there are over 650 prayers in the Bible. There are 450 answers to prayers recorded in God’s Word as well. Jesus’ own requests to his Heavenly Father are listed 41 times. And the first time “Amen” (which means “let it be, “so be it,” “verily,” “truly”) appears in the Bible is in Numbers 5:22.
Praying scripture is a common practice among the faithful of God. The best of these prayers and the models for them can be found in Paul’s epistles. Here we see his pastor’s heart placing the care of believers in God’s hands.
My favorite prayer of Paul can be found in Philippians, the epistle of joy. Paul greets the church with a prayer of thanksgiving and of overwhelming love for these people. We find it in the opening verses of Philippians 1:
“I thank my God every time I remember you; in all my prayers for all of you I pray with joy…”
He loves these shining stars of God in Philippi! Why?
…”because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now; being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” v 5-6
These are beautiful words focused on encouraging the believers. He again recalls the blessing of a God who calls us by the Word, puts us in a family of faith in the church, and then preserves us in our earthly lives until we see Jesus. What sweet reminders!
Later on in the chapter is found the most lovely and authentic prayer of all, in my opinion. It is offered as a gift in confidence that God provides what his people needs. According the Jesus’ words, all we need to do is ask, and it will be done.
My Prayer for You
As I was writing this today, I realized that THIS IS WHY Holy Hen House exists – to tell the sweet gospel message again and to trust God to carry out his will for us in Christ. Here’s the gist of it:
You are loved of God.
Therefore, your love for others can grow.
Your hearts will be wise.
You will be pure and blameless in God’s sight into eternity.
You will be fruitful and faithful while on earth.
You will give God the glory!
All because of the sacrificial, the out and out undying love of Jesus.
This prayer is a prayer for all of you dear, dear, readers. This is the goal and aim of faith for all whom God has chosen. And we echo Paul’s prayer as our fervent request to God for you!
Dearest Heavenly Father, “And this is my prayer: that your - our readers’ - love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:10-14
Want to pray authentically for others around you? Use God’s Word. This prayer is simply one of many that you could offer to God for them.
Lord Jesus, may it be so! May we base our prayers on your Word. Amen.