A Prayer on Behalf of Our Friends
So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. Mark 2:2-4
Dear Lord Jesus, today we’re not praying for ourselves, but for our friends, many of whom are paralyzed by a variety conditions. We lift them up to your throne of grace, thankfully not having to fight crowds or remove any roof tiles to get to you.
As we come, our faith, love and boldness are strengthened when we realize you are still preaching the Word to us every time we read the Bible. As you did with the men on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24), continue to show us yourself, Jesus, in every portion of Scripture.
So Lord Jesus, we bring you our friends still paralyzed by sin and death. You healed the through-the-roof-lowered paralytic in Mark 2 to demonstrate your authority on earth to forgive sins (vs. 5-12). There is no greater or more necessary healing than to be raised from spiritual death. So Jesus, for the praise of your glory, we bring you our friends who have yet to receive the righteousness that only comes by faith. Save them from both religion and non-religion. Give them faith that they might receive your grace.
Jesus, we bring you our friends paralyzed by shame, guilt and contempt. Lord Jesus, breath gospel-healing into the hearts of our friends who are being constantly assaulted by the accuser of the brethren about real and imaginary failures. Let them know there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ. Without such existential knowledge they will not be able to repent, heal and get their eyes off themselves.
Jesus, we bring you our friends paralyzed by old wounds still raw with pain and grief. For our friends who have suffered various degrees of abuse and trauma, Lord Jesus, please bring the gospel to bear with profound hope and healing. And give us wisdom how to love and be patient with them.
Jesus, we bring you our friends paralyzed by various obsessions and addictions. Before your throne of grace, we bring those who are hooked into pornography and other sexual entanglements, chemical and drug abuse, eating disorders, self-righteousness and legalism, greed, gossip, preoccupation with physical beauty… and there are so many other conditions for such the gospel alone provides sufficient power and grace.
Lastly, Jesus, we bring you our friends paralyzed by overwhelming situations of care-giving. Lord Jesus, I have a few friends, who are being called to love heroically in situations that have depleted them emotionally, financially, spiritually, and physically. On their behalf, we cry for mercy, Jesus, great and grace-full mercy.
Thank you for the privilege of both praying for our friends and being used by you, Jesus, as a part of the answer to our prayers. Give us wisdom, kindness, faith, presence, words, and strength, we ask. Amen