Prays Well With Others

 

I had a minor medical procedure this week.  No big deal.  But I was dreading the preparation for it.  I asked a few friends to pray for me.  I felt ridiculous asking for such a simple thing when there are so many other huge things to pray about.  But I am aware that the adversary always makes asking for prayer seem silly, ridiculous, and pointless. I requested prayer, nonetheless. 

One of the ways God gives us His strength and encourages us on our hard journeys is through prayer.  We pray to God.  But we need not pray alone.

We are surrounded by such a cloud of witnesses, running with us, praying with us, watching out for us, and cheering us on.  For from day to day men came to David to help him, until there was a great army, like an army of God.  1 Chronicles 12. 22

When we pray, God brings in the troops, like lining a proverbial marathon route with the fellowship of the saints, not shouting “You’ve got this.”  Or “Believe in yourself!”   But singing God’s strength and endurance and yes, even joy over us.

Prayer is not meant to be hands folded and eyes closed, but when we pray with others, our hands open to what God will provide and our eyes wide open to God’s grander vision.

Dread never makes anything easier.  But God brings us through the deepest, darkest miry bogs, not just giving us His strength but nurturing trust in Him even more for what is yet to come.  Our strength is built in layers on His.  And hard experiences engrave trusting Him into our very souls.

Prayer does not draw God into our situation, but enlarges and increases our awareness of Him.  God does not just show up.  He is already here.  And through the lens of His Presence, He empowers us to see even impossible situations differently.

And the servant said, “Alas, my master!  What shall we do?” Elisha said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.”  Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw.  And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.  2 Kings 6. 15-17

Something more comes into play than getting through a hard place or across a finish line.  Because God works through relationships.  He always has.  Praying is no exception.  And when we pray for others, or ask others to pray for us, the blessing gets all over everyone.  Prayer invites others into what God is unfolding in our lives….and in theirs.  Prayer is not being vulnerable, but the lifeblood of Christian community.  Prayer draws us closer to God and closer to each other, both sides of intervention and intercession.  God brings about more than “an answer,” but reveals Himself to us.  And that always goes incredibly deeper than our requests.  God nurtures and nourishes, both the prayed for and those who pray.

I can promise someone “I’ll be praying for you.”  And it is an encouragement to know that others are praying.  But God often nudges me to say instead, “May I pray for you right now?”  That immediacy to actually pray on the spot, when we can, far exceeds mere encouragement.  We don’t just take a list of requests with us, but words that hover before the Throne.

And when we pray with others, things happen out of the ordinary that cannot be explained, if not for God. 

There is nothing too insignificant to pray about.  God cares for every one of us and every part of us.  And when we ask others to pray, they realize God cares for their “little” stuff too, which we all know, is never so little.  We all struggle with something.  Our asking for prayer, being honest and open before others, grants them the freedom and courage to ask as well.  There is nothing that stands outside His care.  And one prayer about something always leads to something even more to pray about, something even deeper. 

Praying invites others to share in seeing God’s mighty and extraordinary work in ordinary lives. Even our own. 

For where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I among them.   Matthew 18. 20

Prayer makes us realize we are vulnerable before others and before God Himself.  We need Him. And that in itself is a strong witness in this world.

May it be seen in us:  Prays well with others.