I Thessalonians 3:10
“as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?”
Paul loves his sheep. He yearns to see them and that they would be growing strong in their faith. He has a great shepherds heart. We are also pray for one another (James 5:16).
Who are we to pray for? The James passage uses the phrase “one another”. These are those we are in relationship with in the church. These are those we do life with. Prior to James’ command, he says, “confess your sins to one another”. We do this to those we are close with.
We are to pray for our fellow sojourners. Ephesians 4:1-3 says, As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received: with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Our walk with Christ is to be a joint venture. Paul says we’re to be patient and bear with one another. We will get irritated. That’s where patience an love come in. These are the ones we are to be praying for.
We are to be praying for our family. I Timothy 5:8 says we are to provide for our family. If we don’t, our faith isn’t real. Financial care is a base need. Another one is prayer. God put us in relationship to care for them. Prayer is another way.
We are to pray for our neighbors. Who are these? These aren’t only those who live next door. Jesus says they are those whom we come in contact with who have needs. He illustrates this in Luke 10 by telling of the Good Samaritan. As we go on our errands and at work, there will plenty of needs that we’ll witness. We are to pray for them.
Lord, help us to pray for those around us.