Prayers Paradox

A few months ago after a phone conversation with a friend, just prior to ending the call, the person said, “You pray for me and I’ll pray for you.” I thought to myself at the time, and since then, how strange a statement. You would think each would pray for himself or herself. After all, who knows better one’s needs than the individual? Nevertheless, God has ordained it so.

In the very first church Paul established, he taught the new converts at Thessalonica this truth. Listen to this giant man of prayer asking the lesser, so to speak, for their prayers, “Brethren, pray for us...”  But who, also said, “We pray always for you...” This was the rule in his other epistles as well. Interestingly, this great man of God asks prayer from those we would think beneath us spiritually.

Many years ago I began asking little children, and saints who were considered least esteemed in their church, and yes, even those who by their outward appearance seemed to be worldly, to pray for me. I have found such people, as well as other kinds, often have something between themselves and their God the rest of us have not been let in on. James admonishes us, “Pray one for another.” Brethren, LET’S GET TO IT!