We are taught to pray for others. This is one of life’s highest and plainest duties. Paul exhorts that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men. James reminds us that “the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” Thus, prayer is among the active, working forces of the world — a way in which we can truly help others.
There is no way in which we can do so much for others as by praying for them. Prayer is not merely a heart sigh or an expression of goodwill; it lays hold on the hand of God and brings divine power to bear in helping and blessing those for whom we intercede. There are many things we can and should do for others with our own hands, but there are also needs that only prayer can meet.
Friendship is precious — but friendship that does not pray lacks a vital element. It leaves God out. A Christian young woman is loved by a man who laughs at prayer. Is it any wonder she hesitates to entrust her future to one who cannot offer the help that comes through a friend’s prayers? Earth’s sweetest flowers need heaven’s dew to perfect their beauty. Love needs divine strength and grace to be complete. An old writer said, “Pray for whom you love; you will never have any comfort of his friendship for whom you do not pray.”
Nothing else we can do for a friend means so much. Our hands are often awkward and unskillful. Even when our intentions are kind, we may only wound the life we seek to heal. At best, we are poor helpers in the deepest things. We may lift away burdens that were meant to bless, smooth paths God intended to remain rough, or rush His providence and deliver fruit not yet ripe. How much better it is to wait for what is mellow and ready, than to spoil the blessing by our impatience. How glad we should be that we can put our friends into God’s hands — when they are in sorrow, or in perplexity, or longing for deliverance. The safest and most loving thing we can do is to pray for them — asking God to do what He knows is best.
Failing to pray for our friends is a sin against them — and against God. The law of love commands us to care for others as we care for ourselves: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Prayer is one of love’s duties, and we wrong others when we neglect it. A mother who does everything for her child but never prays for him is withholding heaven’s greatest blessing.
Christ Himself taught us to pray for others. The Lord’s Prayer is addressed to “Our Father,” not “My Father.” Even in private prayer, we are to remember others: “Give us this day our daily bread.” It is unchristian selfishness to focus only on our own needs. The last place for selfishness is in prayer.
It is not enough to pray for friends. Jesus calls us to love our enemies and pray for those who mistreat us:
“If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?” Matthew 5:46 The same applies to prayer. We are to pray even for those who do us harm.
There is much ingratitude in the world. Years of kindness may be repaid with neglect or wrong. But what is our duty in such cases? Are we excused from loving and praying for those who wrong us? No. Samuel said it would be a sin against God to stop praying for the people, even after they had wronged him. We are called to the same.
Christian love must remain unembittered. Like a spring of clear water that remains sweet though covered by the brackish sea, so our love must continue pure, no matter the treatment it receives. Jesus gave a clear command:
“Love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you.” Why? “That you may be the children of your Father in heaven.” God loves His enemies, blesses those who curse Him, and is kind to the unthankful and the evil. We are to follow His example.
So when you kneel to pray, include not only those who have loved you, but also those who have been unkind: “Bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you.”
J. R. Miller (1840-1912) was a pastor and former editorial superintendent of the Presbyterian Board of Publication from 1880 to 1911. His works are now in the public domain. This is an edited version of his original.
