Last week, we looked at part of an article entitled “Lifting the Level of Our Praying” by the late Dr. Charles Stanley. He wrote: “The first step to praying effectively for another person is to pray specifically. For years people have written or called to share how they are praying for me. Many times their prayers are right on target with something that I am facing … God is a God of specifics. His desire is that we would learn to pray specifically for the needs and spiritual growth of others.”

In recent days, Karen and I have been encouraged to hear from friends who shared that they are praying for us. We are grateful to the Lord for those who uphold us in prayer.

Dr. Stanley observes: “The most powerful activity you can participate in is prayer. That is why you need to think through what you are praying for another individual. Nothing so moves the circumstances of life as prayer does.

Prayer motivates God to accomplish His will. Of course, He can do this without our prayers, but we miss a tremendous lesson of faith. It takes faith to ask God to work in another person’s life. People who have a hard time believing God for answered prayer usually have weak faith. Great faith looks to God for His best and His direction.

When you pray for others, do you visualize God working to bring that person into closer fellowship with Him? Paul wanted believers everywhere to experience a fullness in Jesus Christ.”

Dr. Stanley continues: “The third aspect of Paul’s prayers was the magnitude of what he prayed for. He asked for big things. He prayed for the believers in Colossae to be strengthened and empowered according to God’s glorious might.

In Sarah Young’s collection of devotional readings entitled “Jesus Today,” written from the perspective of the Lord, she shared this yesterday: “I always lead you forward. When you are going through hard times, you tend to look back longingly at seasons when your life seemed easier, less complicated. You daydream about those simpler times – looking at them through rose-colored lenses. Even your prayers reflect this yearning to go back to earlier, easier circumstances. But this is not My way for you!

Because of the nature of time, there is only one direction to travel, and that is forward. Your life on earth is a journey – beginning at birth and ending at the gates of heaven. I am your Guide, and your responsibility is to follow Me wherever I lead. … I am also your Shepherd. I always lead you along the best possible path – no matter how painful or confusing it may be. When your path takes you through a dark valley and you are struggling, look to Me for help. Follow Me obediently, trusting Me in the midst of darkness and confusion. I am tenderly present with you each step of your journey. As you stay close to Me, I show you the way forward. Little by little, I turn darkness into Light.”

Steve