I’ll Pray For You

Written by Brian Ellis

“I’ll pray for you…”
What does that mean to us today? Has it become something we just say because someone needs to hear it but have no time to actually stop and do? I very much believe in the power of prayer, having witnessed its strength both personally and from afar. And yet I am guilty of the cordial, “I’ll pray for you,” with no follow-through. Why? How can we say we believe in the power and not be willing to share it? For me, I’d say it’s simple. 1) I’m extremely selfish with my time. 2) I’m often covered in sin and know that my words will not be heard.
Isaiah 59:2 says that our iniquities have separated us from God, our sins have hidden our face from him and he will not hear.
Well, to fix that I need to be ready to take a moment (often long moments) for clearing my own slate before broaching other folks’ needs. Seriously? Now we are just asking TOO MUCH. I’ll get it to it later. How terrible is that?!!!
Actually, to take this from a selfish perspective, the process of praying for others is really a gift to me!!  For no one needs prayer more than I, and if I’m not going to do it for myself maybe I’ll do it for my good friend over there. I know I’m crazy but this has been driving me nuts lately.
James 5:16  tells us to confess our sins to the Lord and each other so that we may be healed; the prayer of a RIGHTEOUS man is powerful and effective.
If you agree that prayer is truly God’s strength granted to us simply for the taking, AND you find yourself weak in the follow-through area like me, please reconsider. When you say the words, “I’ll pray for you,” stop, get clean with God and follow through with that promise. Now if I’m the only one of US that has this problem…😟 …well, you just got a little insight into the workings of my brain…you’re welcome for that!! But I’m pledging from here forward, when I say you are on the prayer list, know that it has already been done!!

God bless, and thanks for your patience.