How to Pray for AnyoneSample

PRAYING FOR OTHERS TO EXPERIENCE GOD'S FAITHFULNESS

According to Dictionary.com, faithful means: “strict or thorough in the performance of duty: a faithful worker; true to one’s word, promises, vows, etc.; steady in allegiance or affection; loyal; constant: faithful friends.”

Faithfulness is listed as a fruit of the Spirit because, while people are often fickle, God never wavers. Over and over again in Scripture, we see Him hold true to His word—steady in His love and unwavering in His friendship toward those who belong to Him. He is the ultimate faithful friend.

What’s just as powerful is realizing that we have the opportunity to be faithful back to Him. We have the privilege of reciprocating faithfulness to the God of the universe. We have the opportunity to choose to be faithful workers for the God of the universe. Faithful friends to our Maker.

I can think of several people right now who are incredibly faithful friends of the Lord, and they’ve taught me so much about what it means to cultivate faithfulness in every season. No matter what they’ve been through, they remain steadfast in their loyalty to God. Their service to Christ is marked by being all in. Despite their circumstances, they stay committed.

And their testimony is this: they can remain so devoted to God because they have seen His devotion to them. He hasn’t left their side for one second. He has been their “fourth man in the fire,” their rock and refuge, their only hope. Time and again, He has proven Himself faithful.

So when we don’t know how to pray for someone, we can pray with confidence that they would be overwhelmed by God’s faithfulness in their own lives—and that His faithfulness would encourage them to respond with steadfastness that rises to meet the moment.

We can pray for those we love to remain unwavering in their trust, grounded in God’s faithfulness despite their circumstances. And we, too, are invited to live as people who are true to our word—following through on our commitment to take up our cross daily and follow Him, all the way to the ends of the earth, in response to His unrelenting faithfulness toward us.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION:

• Who in your life needs to be reminded that God is faithful, no matter what?
• What stories could you share of God’s faithfulness to you?
• How does your gratitude for God’s faithfulness shape the way you pray for others to experience His faithfulness?