Admittedly it is not every day I pray for others within all the following categories; Provision, Comforting, Blessing, Healing and Recovery, but, as I reflect on relationships and friendships, I do bring before our Father prayers for others. I do not leave out myself!
My first and overriding prayer for others is that they know Jesus as Savior. He died on the cross at Calvary 2000 years ago so that we, believing in the shedding of His blood for the remission of our sins, can very attain eternal life at earthly death. It takes a proclamation by each of us that we believe He is the Son of God and we desire to live by His standards proclaimed in the Bible, not by the example of the world's standards. To walk and behave by His guidance requires a giving up of much for most of us to gain much more in peace and tranquility every day. We must confess sin and forgive all others!
PROVISION: There are so many individuals in each of our lives that need more earthly substance, a more satisfying and fulfilling career or life's purpose, a life mate to overcome loneliness, a raise to be more comfortable financially or a myriad of other needs. Many of my friends are very forthright in indicating their needs. I pray with them in person and on the phone immediately, when I become informed of their needs. I do not leave them and say, "I will pray for you!" I do it there and then.
COMFORTING: When one of my friends indicates a malaise of spirit perhaps for a loss or a need, it is time for a prayer of comfort. That is simply a prayer of consoling, one of "I cannot really understand, because I have not personally faced that, but I can empathize with you."
BLESSING: One day I spoke at the Dallas County, Texas Jail to perhaps fifty incarcerated men. I spoke and related my own blessings from God that I was spared death on June 17, 1967 at my Green Beret camp in Vietnam, where a mortar round shredded my legs, causing their amputation. Afterwards two men, much younger than I, approached me and asked, "Will you bless me?" I put my hand on their head and called for blessings on them for the multitude of their needs.
PROTECTION: This need is predominant at a time when there is much lawlessness, criminality and danger.. I pray protection from one's own benign neglect, malignant intent to one from another, intersection of evil and our own "stupids.'
HEALING and RECOVERY: At age 81 I find so many with ills of body, soul and spirit. Each may be brought before the Father in the Name of Jesus and by the Holy Spirit for healing.
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