Churches are responsible to teach disciples the important ministry skill of how to pray for others.
Prayer is a spiritual weapon, a conduit for God’s power and love, and a door opener into people’s hearts for the gospel.
Over the years, I have found that most people welcome prayer. Some have never experienced someone praying over them personally, even some who have regularly attended a church. “Hands on” prayer (when we touch the one for whom we pray, with their permission, is very different from being promised that we will remember to pray for them later. My experience is that the only people who resist an offer for prayer are religious people, who have their guard up, and hostile atheists, who adhere to their beliefs, even when they desperately need God’s help. We will find, if we try it, that the great majority of people will allow us to pray for them, if asked.
The first step in praying for others is to ask permission.
When people give us permission, often they think we mean sometime later when we leave their presence. We can surprise them by asking, “What about right now?” Almost always the response will be affirmative. I like to lay my hand on the shoulder of the person for whom I am praying, which is biblical; so, I ask if this will be acceptable. It almost always is.
We never know how God is going to show up when we pray for a person.
I remember once when the person for whom I prayed afterward asked, “Did you feel that?” They experienced a physical manifestation of God’s presence; even though I did not. God did that to encourage that person’s faith.
Prayer is a contact point with God for the person for whom we pray.
When we pray for people, they may experience some sort of a very personal “touch” from the Lord that makes them realize that he is present in their lives and cares about them. When God answers prayer, it is a demonstration of his love.
When we pray for people, it opens a door into their hearts and provides a spiritual bridge over which we cross. From that moment forward we almost always will have permission to talk with them about God.
Prayer bypasses the logical arguments people have erected in their minds that resist God and goes right to the heart. It also gives us a reason to reconnect with them later. We can ask them about the person or situation for which we prayed. We want to try to keep the conversation going.
If we are given permission to pray, it is important not only to pray for the thing or person requested, but also to listen to the Holy Spirit, who may show us other things to lift up to God in their behalf.
I have found that praying in the Spirit (tongues), usually silently to avoid provoking unnecessary questions or causing offense or confusion, unless I know they are Spirit filled, is a way for me to effectively listen to God. It is like tuning into God’s radio frequency. If you are unfamiliar with the amazing benefits of speaking in tongues, i encourage you not to dismiss this important gift. Praying in tongues allows us to pray 100% in the will of God for others. This promise is found in Romans 8:26-27.
In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26–27 (NASB95)
The word translated as “helps” comes from the Greek word “sunantilambanomai,” which literally means to “take hold against together with.” When we pray in tongues, the Holy Spirit takes hold of the situation together with us to fight against that for which we are praying.
You can read more about the amazing value of this spiritual gift by clicking here.
The other gifts of the Spirit often begin to operate as we pray in the Spirit and listen to God with our hearts. We may receive prophetic insight, discerning of spirits, a word of wisdom or knowledge, or a gift of healing or miracles. This is part of what makes prayer so very special. Below is a verse that should encourage us all to pray for physical healing for ourselves and others.
And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Matthew 10:7–8 (NKJV)
When we pray, it is vital that we understand and use the authority we have in Christ to intercede for people. We represent Christ as his ambassadors here on earth. We have been given the authority of the kingdom of God to confirm the truth of the words we speak.
Specific prayer for healing is a topic in its own right. I encourage you to click here for more teaching on this.
Let us not sell God short by failing to give him the opportunity to show himself strong in someone’s behalf!
Many of us are uncomfortable praying out loud in front of others. If we are going to use prayer as an outreach and ministry tool, rather than just for personal benefit, it is important for us to overcome our reluctance, pride, and fears.
Praying aloud has many benefits.
It allows others to agree with our prayer. It can strengthen the faith of the one for whom we pray, as they hear our words. If we make any faith commands, it makes them more effective, especially if we command evil spirits to leave or release the person from some kind of bondage.
Prayer needs to come from the heart.
There is no need to flowery or technically perfect. God simply wants us to be conduits of blessing for others, even if we don’t pray as wonderfully as someone else. We must come to realize that our halting attempts to obey God will likely inspire others to venture out in a similar way. We only get good at something by practice. That being the case, I encourage you to pray for someone today if you get the opportunity. Take the initiative if someone shares a need. We can even offer to pray a blessing over someone as we depart his or her presence. Any excuse will do! Do the previously unthinkable. Ask a someone if you can pray for him or her. Ask for their top two prayer requests and go for it. We will not be disappointed, and neither will the person for whom we pray.
