One of the most powerful things followers of Christ can do together is to pray for each other. We have the privilege of coming to God on behalf of our fellow followers of Christ. You see, prayer is not just for our benefit. When we pray, we have to pray not just for ourselves and our own needs but also for the needs of others.
When Daniel needed help to know and interpret the king of Babylon's dream in Daniel 2, he knew he needed God's help. Knowing this, he invited his friends to pray. "He urged them to ask the God of heaven to show them his mercy by telling them the secret" (verse 18). These three friends had the opportunity to turn to God on Daniel's behalf to understand and interpret the king's dream. That evening, God heard their prayers, helped Daniel, and revealed the king's dream in a vision (verse 19).
Daniel 2 is not the only place in Scripture where we see people praying for God on behalf of each other. Throughout Scripture, we are challenged to consider the needs of others and help as we can. For example, proverbs 21:13 says, "Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need." (verse 13). God urges us in this passage of Scripture to step outside our needs and help others. This includes our prayer lives. While it can be tempting to focus on ourselves and our wants and needs when we pray, we must pray for others, too. This requires us to step out of our worlds and think about others and their struggles.
As followers of Christ, we have the incredible privilege of turning to God on behalf of each other. Will you commit to praying for the people in your life, lifting their concerns and worries to God? Who can you be praying for today?
Spend the next few days praying for others. Who do you know who is in need today? Pray for them today. Pray for God to comfort, heal, and help them in the areas they need Him to work. What a privilege that we get to turn to God on behalf of each other.
"Choose a good reputation over great riches;
being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.
2 The rich and poor have this in common:
The Lord made them both.
3 A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.
The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.
4 True humility and fear of the Lord
lead to riches, honor, and long life.
5 Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road;
whoever values life will avoid it.
6 Direct your children onto the right path,
and when they are older, they will not leave it.
7 Just as the rich rule the poor,
so the borrower is servant to the lender.
8 Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster,
and their reign of terror will come to an end.
9 Blessed are those who are generous,
because they feed the poor.
10 Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too.
Quarrels and insults will disappear.
11 Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech
will have the king as a friend.
12 The Lord preserves those with knowledge,
but he ruins the plans of the treacherous.
13 The lazy person claims, "There's a lion out there!
If I go outside, I might be killed!"
14 The mouth of an immoral woman is a dangerous trap;
those who make the Lord angry will fall into it.
15 A youngster's heart is filled with foolishness,
but physical discipline will drive it far away.
16 A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor
or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty.
Sayings of the Wise
17 Listen to the words of the wise;
apply your heart to my instruction.
18 For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart
and always ready on your lips.
19 I am teaching you today-yes, you-
so you will trust in the Lord.
20 I have written thirty sayings for you,
filled with advice and knowledge.
21 In this way, you may know the truth
and take an accurate report to those who sent you.
22 Don't rob the poor just because you can,
or exploit the needy in court.
23 For the Lord is their defender.
He will ruin anyone who ruins them.
24 Don't befriend angry people
or associate with hot-tempered people,
25 or you will learn to be like them
and endanger your soul.
26 Don't agree to guarantee another person's debt
or put up security for someone else.
27 If you can't pay it,
even your bed will be snatched from under you.
28 Don't cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers
set up by previous generations.
29 Do you see any truly competent workers?
They will serve kings
rather than working for ordinary people."
