What to Pray for Anyone
10/05/24 09:56
Do you ever find yourself wondering what you should be praying for your friends, neighbors, enemies, or anyone in your life?
Two soldiers once decided to smuggle a goat into their barracks as a prank. One, anticipating a potential flaw in their plan, asked, "What about the smell?" Without hesitation, the other replied, "The goat will just have to get used to it!"
When it comes to praying for others—or even for ourselves—are we sometimes like that soldier who missed the point? While it's good to pray for immediate needs, it's easy to stop there and overlook what’s most important: what’s on God’s heart for that person. Are we missing something deeper in our prayers?
Ephesians 5 says, "Be careful how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of the time (opportunity) because the days are evil." How can we make the most of our opportunities to pray for others?
If Jesus were praying for you—or for your friend—what would He pray? What about Paul? We don’t have to wonder too much, because we have their examples in Scripture, along with the whole unfolding story of God’s plan from the Bible to guide us.
Here are some prayer priorities I believe apply when praying for both non-believers and believers. After all, we’re all on a journey toward spiritual maturity—including myself. And we’ve been given the mysterious gift of prayer—an invitation to join God in His work of expanding and building His kingdom.
Here's what I pray for others these days...
- A Hunger for God
- A Credible Witness
- Repentance and Faith
- Refreshing and Renewal
- Reconciled Relationships
- Revival
- Becoming Salt and Light
- Pray for a Hunger for God
The problem is, we often seek that restoration in everything but God. Even after becoming a Christian, the idols of this world continually try to dull our desire for Him.
Philosopher Blaise Pascal, put it this way,
"What else does this craving, and this helplessness, proclaim but that there was once in man a true happiness, of which all that now remains is the empty print and trace?
This he tries in vain to fill with everything around him, seeking in things that are not there the help he cannot find in those that are, though none can help, since this infinite abyss can be filled only with an infinite and immutable object; in other words by God himself”
Ecclesiastes 3:11 states, "he [God] has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end."
Psalm 14:2 reminds us, "The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt"
The miracle of grace turns our hearts toward God—opening our eyes to our alienation, our need for a relationship with our Creator, and igniting a hunger to seek and desire God Himself. Without that hunger and pursuit of God, what else truly matters in a person's life? Restored union with God should be the priority in our prayers for others.
Our first prayer should echo King David's: "Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!" (Psalm 34:8). Too often, I fear we pray for others—especially non-believers—asking for good things in their lives, yet neglect to pray for a hunger to know and follow God. Much of our praying, for ourselves and others, can miss what is truly on God's heart.
- Pray for God to bring them a credible Witness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Rom 10
Yet, it's not our witness that saves, but the gospel itself. As Paul said, "The gospel is the power of God for salvation" (Rom. 1:16). How often, though, are seekers led astray? And once someone accepts Christ, they are incredibly vulnerable. Peter calls them "babes in Christ" (1 Pet. 2:2). And how vulnerable are babies?
That’s why we must continually pray for a renewed awareness of the gospel—its power and implications for every life. And we must also pray for authentic, Spirit-filled witnesses to surround those we are lifting up—people who will live and speak the truth of the gospel in love.
Matt 9:37,38: “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” - Pray for laborers to go into the harvest - near your friends.
- Pray for Repentance and Faith
The tension between Divine sovereignty and human free will is a mystery that's hard to grasp. One pastor described it as two parallel lines stretching into eternity—we can’t see where they meet, but in eternity, it will make sense. Despite the mystery, God has given us the gift of prayer, so we can ask that our friends will turn to Christ and receive Him (John 1:12)!
- Pray for a Refreshing and Renewal
Too often, we let "cultural Christianity" become our standard—pleasing people, seeking comfort, and following what sounds good rather than pursuing the truth of Scripture. We must pray that the Holy Spirit would convict and lead believers into true obedience, where real life and refreshing are found (John 14:21, 23; Romans 8:14-15).
Act 3:19"Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord"
Titus 3:5"He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior"
Rom 12:2Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,"
Rom8:11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
- Pray for Reconciled Relationships
God's standard for relationships—whether in friendships, marriages, or within the church—is living in harmony. When someone refuses to pursue reconciliation or forgiveness, their spiritual growth is hindered, as is their joy and walk with God. It takes courage to approach a relationship marked by alienation or tension, but the peace that follows is worth the effort. Even if the other party refuses, you can have peace knowing you obeyed God.
God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit live in perfect community, and we are created to reflect that unity in our relationships. One day we will, and in the meantime, we should strive to reflect it here and now. The stakes are high for those watching us—do they see a supernatural love and difference in our relationships? Let us pray they do!
2Cor13:9 For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for.
Mt5:23 "So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift."
Mt 5:89 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."
Eph4:32 "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."
Col3:13 "bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
Jn13:34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Rom12:18 "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all."
- Pray for Revival
- Stephen Olford says revival is “the sovereign act of God, in which He restores His own backsliding people to repentance, faith, and obedience.”
- J. I. Packer describes it as “God’s quickening visitation of His people, touching their hearts and deepening His work of grace in their lives.”
- Martyn Lloyd-Jones says, “Revival, above anything else, is a glorification of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is the restoration of Him to the center of the life of the Church.”
- Richard Robert Owens calls revival “an extraordinary movement of the Holy Spirit producing extraordinary results.”
Praying for revival means asking the Holy Spirit to move powerfully in our world for the glory of Jesus Christ. It’s praying for an awakening among those who are spiritually asleep, not walking in their calling (Eph. 5:8, 14). We are asking God to make the church all it was meant to be in this critical hour—to carry out the mission and vision of Jesus.
When the church is "being the Church," and fulfilling its God-given purpose, it naturally leads us to the next step in prayer, as we partner with God in seeing His kingdom come.
Is57:15 "For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite."
Ps80:7 "Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved!"
Hab3:2 "O LORD, I have heard the report of you, and your work, O LORD, do I fear. In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy."
2Chron7:13 "When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, 14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
- Pray to become Salt and Light
But this renewal can only come through believers who are fully surrendered to the Holy Spirit’s will and empowered to do good works (Ephesians 2:10; 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12). When the church is not only being the Church but also doing what the Church is meant to do, we begin to see God's kingdom advancing in tangible ways. Let us pray for Jesus' vision for his followers to become a reality!
Mt5:13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Micah 6:8 "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
How do we pray?
There's more to prayer than simply asking God to work. We need to be "on praying ground," meaning we must have no unconfessed sin and be fully surrendered to the Holy Spirit. We also must be clothed for battle:
Eph6:10 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints..."
Absolutely, there are countless other things we can pray for on behalf of others! However, let’s not overlook the most crucial matters—the things that are on God’s heart! For further growth, I encourage you to study the prayers of Jesus and the apostles, especially Paul.
I hope you find this helpful, as it has truly benefited me. May His kingdom come and His will be done in your prayers!
And if you would like prayer, don't hesitate to contact me. I would be honored to pray for you and can pass your requests on to team of prayer warriors who will lift you up, before the Father. Blessings to you!
"May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it." 1Thes5:23,24
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