The Bible says, “When Job prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes. In fact, the LORD gave him twice as much as before!“
There is a great blessing in praying for others. Job lost everything. His friends came to console and comfort him. But they could not find any reason why Job has lost all his properties and his children. Hence, they came up with a more logical answer. They accused Job of being a sinner. Job just could not take his friend’s accusation. In the end, God was not upset with Job. But He was upset with Job’s friends for the careless words they spoke. They came to comfort him. But they try to reason out Job’s suffering with their wisdom and judged him. Job prayed for his friends and God turned his hardship into a double blessing.
Dear friend, Are you in a similar situation? The world around you cannot understand the suffering you are going through? Look up to God and pray for them. Jesus can change your suffering.
Abraham’s Plea for the perishing nation
While Abraham was living in an alien land as a childless old man. God told him that he is going to destroy the city of Sodom. The city of Sodom was sinful. God says in Bible, “I have heard a great outcry from Sodom and Gomorrah because their sin is so flagrant. I am going down to see if their actions are as wicked as I have heard. If not, I want to know.“
Abraham started pleading for Sodom. He pleaded, “Suppose you find fifty righteous people living there in the city—will you still sweep it away and not spare it for their sakes? Surely you wouldn’t do such a thing, destroying the righteous along with the wicked.” When God agreed not to destroy the city of Sodom for fifty righteous men, Abraham pleaded for 40 righteous men, then 30 and then 20, and pleaded God for mercy for 10 men. God agreed not to destroy the city of Sodom if he find 10 righteous men.
God made Abraham a great nation. He is a man who pleaded for a sinful nation.
Are we pleading for other countries? The current war happening in Ukraine breaks my heart. How many precious lives have been lost? Are we pleading for both the countries involved in the war? Are we pleading for them? Independent of the background, ethnicity, and color, God cares for them. He loves them all. We ought to pray for them. If God needs to take care of our children and family, we need to pray for other families’ suffering right before our eyes.
Moses Prayed for his nation
The Lord was angry when the Israelites started worshipping a cow. They made a cow as their God after seeing the great miracles the Lord has done in their life. Moses prayed, “Oh, what a terrible sin these people have committed. They have made gods of gold for themselves. But now, if you will only forgive their sin—but if not, erase my name from the record you have written!“
Moses threw himself before God as a sacrifice for the sake of his own countrymen’s sin. How many of us pray for the country we live in? How many care about the sins of our country? When God was angry and planning to destroy the nation of Israel, Moses stood in the gap and pray for the nations. Do we care for our nation? Are we concerned about the sins of our nation? God is searching for someone who cares for their country and is willing to stand in the gap and pray. Jesus will bless your life when you pray for your nation.
Jesus prayed for us
Jesus offered his prayer for all of us on the last night he spent on the earth. His prayer is for those who believe in Him. The timeless prayer applies to all of us who live in the 21st century, too.
“I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
Dear friend, are you willing to pray for others? You may go through difficult circumstances. But look around. Many go through tough challenges. Pray for them as Job prayed. Pray for other nations which are suffering. Pray for your own nation. God will look at your selfless prayer and open doors for you and lift you up.
Shall we pray for others? Please pray along with us in your own words.
Dear Jesus, I come to you with a humble heart. Today, I want to pray for my country. Please bless my country. Forgive all my sins and my countrymen’s sins. I have sinned against you in many ways. We have not followed you with all our hearts. Please forgive us. Wash us with your precious blood. We pray for our leaders. I pray for the people who govern our country. Bless them, Lord. Give them good health and wisdom. Keep my country at peace. Reduce the crime rate. Reduce the accidents. I pray for those who are obsessed to substances. I pray for those who are obsessed to gambling and pornography. Please touch every one of them. Let them be free from all the obsessions.
Jesus, I pray for the war-torn countries around the world, specifically Ukraine. Jesus, please stop the bloodshed. Let there be peace. So many have lost their dear ones. Please hear the cries of the people. Stop this war. Unite the families that are torn apart. Let there be peace and happiness once again. Wipe away the tears of the young and the old. Please speak to the leaders of the nation. Change their heart. Jesus, I believe in you. We put our trust in you.
Jesus, I pray for my friends that I know of. I pray for those who are sick, in pain, in depression, and in fear. Jesus, you know their heart. Touch their life. You are a God of the miracle. Nothing is impossible for you. Please touch on their life. Fill their heart with your heavenly peace.
Jesus, I pray for myself. You know all my heartache. Please do not forget me. I can come only come to you for my needs. You are my God. Please hold me and lead. Teach me the ways I should walk. In Jesus’s mighty name, I pray. Amen.
