James wrote, “pray for one another” (James 5:16), and while those words were first written to Christians nearly 2,000 years ago, they hold true for us today. We might typically pray for our health, spiritual strength, wisdom, and continued blessings from God. We likely pray for our country, our leaders, physical safety, and peace. We probably also thank God in prayer for all that He has done for us, for our physical and spiritual blessings, and specifically for the hope of eternity in heaven. But James wrote, “pray for one another.”
How often do we include our brothers and sisters in Christ in our private prayers? How often do we plead with God for their health, spiritual strength, wisdom, and continued blessings? How often do we remember fellow Christians by name as we humbly and reverently bow our heads and fold our hands in prayer?
As we strive to build and strengthen our connection to God, to God’s word, and specifically to the house of God, we must “pray for one another.” We need to remember each other’s strengths, weaknesses, victories, and trials as we spend time with God in prayer.
Imagine how much stronger and more resilient, the Lord’s church would be, how much brighter His light would shine, if every Christian devoted time each day to praying for one another.
Matt Langfield