Most of the time our prayers for those in the world should be geared towards their repentance and recog- nition of the truth (see II Timothy 2:24-25 and I Peter 3:8). It is also true that there are times when it serves no purpose to pray for people in the world. See what God instruct- ed Jeremiah in Jeremiah 7:16:
For even [jesus christ] did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Of course, this does not mean it is wrong to pray for our own needs and wants. God tells us,
We are instructed to “bear one an- other’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). God is building His Church and prepar- ing its members for important posi- tions in His soon-coming Kingdom. He is forming a Family that will rule the universe! If you want with all your heart to help someone who is sick and in need of healing, or is going through a severe trial, one of the most im- portant things you can do is pray for them. Fasting can also be em- ployed. Even when there is nothing you can do physically, you can still utilize intercessory prayer. “Greater love has no man than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). This life is temporary, and our lives are made up of a lim- ited amount of time. How much of that time do we spend praying for others? Intercessory prayer is a two-way street. If you have a need, ask some of your brothers and sisters in Christ to pray along with you. James, the brother of Christ, encouraged the brethren to pray for one another. James 5:15–16 states: And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has com - mitted sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one an - other, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. One can plainly see: Praying for others is not a waste of time. God loves such unselfish, intercessory prayers and responds to them in mi- raculous ways!
therefore do not pray for this people, nor lift up a cry or prayer for them, nor make in - tercession to Me; for I will not hear you. The attitude of the people was so wrong, and their hearts so evil, that God would not spare them from the punishment they needed. But unless God makes it clearly evident, we should not assume this is the case. Balance and wisdom are required. So why is God particularly interest- ed in our prayers on behalf of the brethren? Because He wants us to focus on the needs of others rather than ourselves. God is interested in developing unity and teamwork among the future members of His Family. In Mark 10:45 it states:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in ev- erything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippi- ans 4:6). In Matthew 7:7–8, we are told: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Of course, God knows what our needs are even before we ask (Mat- thew 6:8). Nevertheless, He still wants us to ask.
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