I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth. 1 John 3:4 (NLT)
What do you pray most often for those you love?
Prayer is one of the most powerful, thoughtful, loving ways we can show our love for our family and friends, yet I still often struggle to persevere in prayer for others. What some of us (ME) need to hear most is simply a reminder to stop and pray for the ones we love.
And what we pray for them really matters. Unfortunately, we often ask God for less than we should for our family and loved ones. At least I know that I myself have sometimes asked for less than I should. When I pray for those I love, my mind often defaults to practical, earthly concerns and generalized prayers — that God would guard or improve their health and safety, or that he would prosper what they do at work or school, or for whatever other daily or weekly needs that immediately come to mind.
Prayers like these, while good and even important, fall short of the mountain-moving prayers we might pray — prayers like the apostle Paul prayed. Paul most often prayed for the spiritual life and health of those he loved and served with. A brief look at some of Paul's written prayers can help us pray for the spiritual life and health of our loved ones as well. What did Paul pray for those he loved?
1. He prayed that they would be saved
Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved. Romans 10:1 (NLT)Though Paul was called to be an apostle to the Gentiles, he dearly loved his Jewish brothers and sisters, and his most important prayer for them was that they would come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. The most important prayer we can ever pray for those we love is for their salvation. While it is natural for us to want our loved ones to be healthy, happy and successful in this world, the burden of our heart should be for their spiritual lives and their relationship with Christ
We recently started a prayer emphasis at our church called "Who's Your ONE?" that encourages every member to be praying for at least one loved one who is far from God; praying for their salvation, redemption and restoration. I have seven "ONES" that I pray for regularly - some have never been saved, others I believe have been saved, but are living a prodigal life (see Luke Luke 15:11-32) I am praying the Lord reveals Himself to them, and brings them into a right relationship with Him.
2. He prayed they would grow spiritually
Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. Ephesians 1:15-18 (NLT)In Ephesians, Paul is writing tho those who are saved. He wasn't satisfied with just the salvation of his friends, he also wanted them to grow in their relationship with God. Paul understood that salvation isn't the end of the process, but the beginning of a great journey of faith. Paul prayed for his friends to know Christ intimately, to grow in their knowledge and love for Him and that they would live in confident hope, knowing they belonged to Christ.
What a glorious prayer to pray for those we love. No success on earth can compare to knowing Christ and growing in our relationship with Him.
3. He prayed that they would grow in love and in Christ-like character
God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus. I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ —for this will bring much glory and praise to God. Philippians 1:8-11 (NLT)Paul's love for his friends compelled him to pray that they could not only grow in their love and relationship with Christ, but also their love for one another. He prayed that their love would "overflow". That is a beautiful picture of someone who is filled with the Spirit of Christ, and He "spills out" in love for those close by. He also wanted them to understand "what really matters" - it was not their success in business or community activities, but that they would develop and live out Christ-like character before a lost world. This, Paul says, it what will bring much glory and praise to God.
4. He prayed that they would live in God's power by faith in Him
So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 (NLT)Paul was persistent in praying for his friends and loved ones. He didn't simply pray once and let it go, he kept on praying for them, asking God to do a great work in their lives. Paul prayed they would live a life worthy of God's calling on them, and that they would live in faith, being empowered by God to do everything He was calling them to do. Paul's great desire is that they would live out God's perfect will for their lives, so the end result would be that Jesus Christ would be honored and glorified through them.
Our greatest calling as followers of Christ, is to live lives worthy of His calling, and to live in such a way that He is honored and glorified through us. As Jesus tells us, we are to let our light shine before others so they may see our good works, and glorify our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16). Should that not also be our prayer for those we love? Their greatest accomplishments in this world will be what brings glory to God and impacts the world for Jesus. Let us pray accordingly.
