THE TRUTH IN PRINT, January 2002

Publication of the VALLEY CHURCH OF CHRIST,

Vol. 7, Issue 12

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A REQUEST: PRAY FOR ME!

By Bob Lovelace

Such a request is not without scriptural foundation for those who have fellowship in Christ: James 5:14-16, “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; [15] and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. [16] Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”

Paul wrote, “Brethren, pray for us” (I Thess. 5:21). He asked of the christians in Thessalonica: “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:” (2 Thes. 3:1). QUESTION: As they prayed for Paul did they have the assurance that Paul would do his part? Did they “know” Paul was sincere and honest in all things?

I. IDEALLY, WHEN BRETHREN PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER THEY HAVE CONFIDENCE IN EACH OTHER’S DEVOTION AND SERVICE TO THE LORD:

To illustrate such please consider the following statements concerning prayer:

“I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers ...that the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus” (Philemon 1:4,6).

Or, “But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you” (Philemon 1:22).

Also 3 John 1:2, “Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.”

II. CONCERNING THE ONE MAKING THE REQUEST:

ARE THEY DEVOTED TO PRAYER THEMSELVES?

The admonition, “Pray without ceasing” applies to all christians. (1 Thes. 5:17) Paul’s statement in Romans 12:12 is also all-inclusive of God’s children, “...rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer.”

QUESTION: When you ask another Christian to pray for you have you been that kind of person yourself? One devoted to prayer? Showing such devotion even by giving thanks for your daily food? (I Tim. 4:5)

ARE THEY WATCHFUL IN PRAYER THEMSELVES?

Colossians 4:2 says, “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.” And Ephes. 6:18, “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.”

QUESTION: Are they using prayer themselves in order to stay spiritually alert?

ARE THEY WORKING AT CONTROLLING ANXIETY WITH PRAYER?

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Phil. 4:6).

ARE THEY LIFTING UP HOLY HANDS WITHOUT ANGER AND DISSENSION?

“I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting” (I Tim. 2:8). The points? Dear reader no one is so destitute as the Christian who makes this request, “Pray for me!” but is not themselves devoted to prayer.

ARE THEY ENGAGED IN SUPPLICATIONS, I.E. INTERCESSIONS FOR OTHERS?

Ephes. 6:18-19, “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, [19] and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.” (Cp. Phil. 1:19).

Notice Paul mentions “striving together” in prayers, “Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;”(Romans 15:30). Again in 2 Cor. 1:11 he says, “Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.” QUESTION: Are You striving with others in prayer?

Thus far we find that Christians are to pray for one another being devoted themselves to prayer, watchful in prayer, engaged in supplication for others, and often striving together as Paul notes in the passages above. QUESTION: Are you doing these?

ARE THEY PREDICATING THEIR REQUEST ON THEIR OWN GOOD CONSCIENCE AND WILLINGNESS TO LIVE HONESTLY AND SOBERLY?

Hebrews 13:18 says, “Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. In this “light” consider 1 Peter 3:7, “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” Also, “ But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer” (I Peter 4:7). QUESTION: Are you?

III. SOME THINGS OFTEN NEGLECTED OR OVERLOOKED:

THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL,

1 Peter 3:12, “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” This “but...” is often overlooked. Others’ prayers for you will not change your standing with God without your willingness to have a good conscience and live honestly and soberly! (See above.)

QUESTION: SHOULD THE REQUEST HAVE BEEN PRECEDED WITH A REBUKE?

Such as this: “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee” (Acts 8:22). Peter felt it necessary that something needed to be said “before” Simon made this common request. Peter told Simon to repent and pray himself! “Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me” (Acts 8:24). Peter made it plain that without his repentance he remained in sin. Do those who make this common request consider the condition of one “in sin” and thus being an enemy of God? (See James 4:4) The importance of both repenting and confessing one’s sin is stressed in scripture. John says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

At times brethren will admit they are “in sin,” but being careless with their souls they make no request for prayers. Others, at times, have been known to “ask” for the prayers of the church, but when doing such they had no intention of confessing their sins and being sober and watchful unto prayer themselves.

CAN WE PRAY FOR YOU TODAY REMEMBERING SUCH THINGS AS THOSE MENTIONED IN THE FOLLOWING VERSE?

I Thes. 1:2-3,“We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; [3] Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;”

Let’s remember when we make the request, “Pray for me” that we must do our part. And that “is” the simple point of this study.

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