Last year we learned a lot about prayer. Having tried and failed to pray for others for years we were finally able to establish regular, daily, practice of prayer. Maybe it was just that the time was right, maybe it was a natural progression from reading the Bible daily to adding prayer. Maybe it was my asking the Lord early in the year to give me more faith, maybe it was discovering that Christ called us to follow him not just believe in Him. Whatever the reason, we were able to establish a regular intercessory prayer life in 2022.

It started by praying for our neighbor’s children. First the college age young women, then the other members of the families and now it has expanded to about a hundred and twenty individuals. I personally would never have thought it possible but the Lord has helped us and encouraged us.

One of the interesting insights the Lord showed me was that if we are truly called to follow him then we should do what he is doing. Romans 8:34 tells us that He is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. If that is what He is doing then that is what we should do.

The Bible confirms this in many passages. Once we understood this, it became easier for us to do it ourselves. I’d say it has been a very rewarding experience. Yes there have been many answered prayers, some dramatic answers and some not so dramatic but needed nevertheless.

The most surprising part about praying for others has been the connections we have built among those we are praying for. There is a spiritual connection and love that surprised me. Not knowing some of these people personally, I have become interested in their well being and growth. I would say my love for others has expanded exponentially.

Of course it really touches others when they find out that you’re praying for them. It is encouraging. I do have to acknowledge that part of the inspiration of our new discipline was garnered from our daughter Jewel. When she was about 11 she prayed faithfully for two or three people everyday of a year or more. The prayers were simple and short but they were answered. Of course she wasn’t alone in praying for the boy with Leukemia and the girl with Lyme disease but she was faithful. That inspired us to commit to daily prayer for people.

One of the problems with starting your own list is that it can quickly become overwhelming. There are so many needs. Who doesn’t need prayer? Our solution was not to solicit prayer requests but to add the requests as the Holy Spirit revealed them. When you are lead by the Spirit to add the names it is easier to sustain the prayer, and you are confronted every day with a manageable list.

We haven’t taken anyone off since we started but the prayers have changed somewhat as we prayed. The Spirit will emphasize different people from time to time. Sometimes we will be lead to call someone for an update. Sometimes peoplele will call us. We did add some core ministries to the list, with the Spirits permission.

That came about because a couple of years ago I was praying for my aging cat, Mittens, when the Lord spoke to me. He said, I called you to support missionaries around the world and you are sending your money but instead of praying for them you are praying for your cat. Pray for them.

That was convicting so I started praying for them. And just for the record, He didn’t tell me to stop praying for the cat, just to add our friends in ministry. And if you are curious, he gave me another year with my cat buddy which was nice since I was working from home during that period.

So to wrap it up, this is not just an experiment, it is a lifestyle change as Marilyn and I both feel the call to prayer. Just like giving and Bible reading, it has expanded our experience of Christ’s calling on our lives and added color and meaning to our lives. We are looking forward to what he has for us in the new year and are hoping it will involve expanding our horizons even further. And that is our prayer of you too.

Marilyn recently rediscovered this song by Alison Krauss, She wanted to share it with you.