I remember one of my first teaching opportunities at Omaha Bible Church, I was pretty nervous and even unsure of what to expect. I knew the material (if I recall it was a Fundamentals of the Faith class) but I was nonetheless uneasy as I headed towards the classroom. As I made my way there my Senior Pastor forcefully and stealthily grabbed me by the collarbone (his customary way of showing heterosexual male affection) and informed me that he had prayed for me that morning that I would be faithful and clear. This just rocked my world. Suddenly I had a gust of sanctified momentum in my sails. I was reminded afresh of the powerful grace and ability of God to work in and through sinners to accomplish his end. I was greatly encouraged as I entered the classroom.
This scene has reoccurred throughout the years with many dear brothers and sisters in Christ. It is so humbling, encouraging, and motivating to have people praying for you. Charles Spurgeon was once asked about the ‘success’ of his ministry and his answer was short and powerful, “My people pray for me.”
This is of course nothing new. Believers have been praying for one another with an eye towards God’s own good and sovereign blessing for ages. I think of the Colossian Church, a group of believers whom Paul had never seen but yet he had not ceased praying for. Furthermore, Paul lets them know that he has been praying. Why do you suppose that is? No doubt, among other things, it was to point them to the source of all true blessing, God himself; to remind them of the love of the brethren; to model faithful Christian love and ministry; to encourage them to do the same.
Make it a priority to pray for other believers and then tell them how you are praying, that you both might wait expectantly for the blessing of God with eyes peeled for the gracious divine handiwork in your lives. This exercise serves to forge humility, confidence, joy, perseverance, thanksgiving, and further prayer.
“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. (Colossians 1:9-12)