“Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, Do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: ...”

Ephesians 1:15-16

THE GREAT VALUE OF PRAYING FOR ONE ANOTHER

By Jay H. Graham

From the Chapel Glen Church of Christ Bulletin

The apostle Paul emphasized a lot of very pertinent topics in his various NT letters to christians and congregations in regard to the daily lives of the Lord’s saints. These topics include the various works of Christ and His crucifixion, the assemblies of the saints, the dangers of the works of the flesh and the great benefits of the fruit of the Spirit to name a few. However, none of these topics are not more important than his emphasis of prayers for the saints, whether his or ours. The letters to the Ephesians as well as to the Colossians highlight the importance of praying for one another in the first chapter of each of these letters. Just consider the paragraphs of Eph 1:15-21 and Col 1:3-12 and importance of such prayers. Add to this fact that Paul used the terms “pray”, “prayer(s)” and “praying” 45 times in his letters! And this number does not include Acts as well as the implications in regard to praying without using the words!

I am convinced that one of the reasons the Lord called Paul to be an apostle, howbeit, “out of due season”, was because he had a real love for Israel and the Law as well as for the Lord. We can see this love in his writings, even as a Christian. Immediately following his con- version to the Lord, the apostle Paul loved the church and its people! Surely, this was one of the reasons he emphasized praying for one another with such fervency and faithfulness. He did not cease in his prayers! He prayed constantly for the brothers and sisters. And he urged his fellow christians to pray with the same urgency and devotion.

The vast majority of Paul’s prayers were in regard to spiritual matters. Just consider the various things he prayed for that the brothers and sisters at the Ephesian and Colossae congregations needed. He wanted them to have the “spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ”. He wanted the “eyes of their understanding to be enlightened.” He wanted them to know what the “hope of His calling and spiritual riches” were. He wanted them to know the “power” Christ had for them! He “gave thanks for their faith” as well as their “love for all the saints”! He wanted them to know of the “grace of God in truth!”

Now, to be clear, there is certainly a place to pray for physical needs and necessities. We have many examples of such requests and prayers, even with Jesus, Himself. But Paul’s emphasis was on spiritual needs and understandings. He wanted his brothers and sisters to grow closer to the Lord. He wanted them to be mature in Christ. He also wanted them to pray for their fellows as well. Why? Because he obviously thought it was important!

Now consider this, I do not necessarily think he was praying for them because they lacked these things. He was not praying for them because they were weak or unfaithful. He was not praying for them because they were not as good a Christians as their fellows. These were probably every day needs and occurrences that ALL christians needed at all times, not even at particularly difficult times. These were constant needs and necessities that all christians need all the time! This includes you and me!

There is something else worthy of note in regard to Paul’s admonitions. He was not afraid to let his brothers and sisters know he was praying for them, and there must have been a good reason for this. I understand there seems to be a hesitancy to let our fellows know we are praying for them. Perhaps, as a result of the concern others might think we are bragging, and bragging should certainly not our motive. However, Paul was not bragging! The only boasting he did was in regard to the cross of Christ! He was praying for real reasons and for real necessities, and he felt it needful that the saints know of his prayers for them, just as Christ prayed for real reasons and benefits.

Let us follow Paul’s example. Let us pray “without ceasing.” Let us remember that our own faithfulness does in large part have a bearing both from and to others. The Lord’s body is the ultimate “Team”. We cannot win the “prize” alone. We need our fellow believers. We need their strength and encouragement, and they need ours. I am convinced praying for them is part of this process..