Do you follow through when asked to pray for someone?

When someone asks for prayer or states a prayer request, do you really listen?  Do you actually fulfill your promise to pray for them or the request? 

When you tell a friend, “call me if there is anything you need”, do you actually mean it?  Do you follow through?

Have you ever wondered whether or not your prayers make a difference? Do you want to pray more for others, but aren't sure where to begin? Or are you more like so many Christians; taking the time to pray for your own needs, but failing to cover others in prayer?

In the book of Luke (chapter 5, verses 17-26) we read about four loyal friends who carried their paralyzed friend on a mat to see Jesus. They were seeking healing on their friend’s behalf, and when they encountered difficulty in getting to Jesus, they persevered and found another way. In the end, Jesus healed the paralytic. And the Word says Jesus healed him because of the faith of his four friends.

With regard to your prayer life, let's think about these four friends. They were not like Job's friends, questioning the cause of the situation and attempting to cajole a confession of sin from their friend. Instead they were his friend in and through his need, and when they heard about Jesus they took their friend to Him. And they persisted in finding a way to get their friend to Jesus, even in an embarrassing way. (When is the last time you ripped a hole in someone's roof and "dropped in"?)

We can, and we should, pray for the needs of our friends, bringing those needs before the Lord with persistence and faith. One day, in eternity, we may well find out how many miracles were due to the prayers of friends and how many miracles were not. Don't miss out on an opportunity to do good deeds when you have the chance; this applies to all of life, including your prayer life.

So let me encourage you to spend time in prayer for the needs of your friends, the needs of your family, your own personal needs, and even the needs of your enemies. And thank the Lord for friends who have labored in prayer on your behalf. What a blessing godly friends are!

©Betty Jean Bowers