Aren’t we thankful that when we are dealing with something or many things in our life, that we can pray to God or ask someone to pray on our behalf and/or specifically pray for us during our time of challenge? I was reminded of this over the weekend when I received the weekly “weekend email” regarding our Jail Ministry. This email typically includes who attended the men’s and women’s Bible class along with prayer requests from inmates. I always take time to review that email and what grabs my attention every time are the prayer requests inmates have! The requests range from making a request for continued strength, more wisdom, a desire for hope, or concern for another inmate. Additionally, those prayer requests are deeply personal such as, “Please pray for my children, my grandchildren, my parents, my spouse, those I have hurt, etc.” You see, the prayer requests are not much different than our requests for prayers! I am thankful we can communicate and talk to our Father for ourselves and others.
Let us remember:
1. Prayer draws us closer to God (James 4:8).
2. Prayer strengthens the body of Christ (Galatians 6:2).
3. Prayer brings peace (Philippians 4:6–7).
4. Prayer is powerful and effective (James 5:16).
All prayer requests are meaningful and important to God and we have a responsibility to honor those requests. When I read those prayer requests each week or when we go as a church family and talk with, teach Scripture, and seek to provide comfort to those who are incarcerated, we are blessed with a greater insight to how much sin restricts our relationship with our Lord. When we are introduced to those who are struggling with decisions they have made while they are working through the very expensive legal system and feeling as though they may never be able to repair broken relationships with loved ones, those prayer requests are not only “heavy,” but very important! Sin does more than restrict us, sin enslaves us (Romans 6)! Let’s continue to seek the mercy of our Lord. May we be more eager to do so when someone “asks for prayers?”
