Oftentimes, prayer lists in churches are full of those in need. It is very regular to pray for those who have medical setbacks, personal loss, and situations of grief.
In these moments, the lists can grow very long and the prayer time can unfortunately grow very short!
You know of some legitimate needs around you. Instead of letting them overwhelm you, begin to pray for them!
Pray for Comfort
How would God want you to pray for someone who is going through a difficult time? Read the following passage as a start.
2 Corinthians 1:3 Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so through Christ our comfort also overflows. 6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is experienced in your endurance of the same sufferings that we suffer. … 11 while you join in helping us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gift that came to us through the prayers of many.
Pray for Salvation
What about those who have the greatest need of all – a spiritual one? How should we pray for someone who doesn’t know Jesus? Read the following passage.
Ephesians 1:17-19 – 17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. 18 I pray that the perception of your mind may be enlightened so you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His vast strength.
With needs so great, we cannot rely on our power to remedy such situation. We must rely on the power of God. As we plead with him in prayer, we expect great things from him because we know that he is able to do even more than what we could ask from him (Eph. 3:20).
Select at least one person for each of these categories. Get specific in the prayer needs, verses to pray, and how often to pray. In addition to praying for these people, today you could make a contact and let them know that you prayed for them.
For the person in need, a simple message telling him or her that you prayed and a verse you prayed would serve as a huge encouragement.
For the person who doesn’t know Jesus, a simple message saying that you had him or her on your mind and wanted to know if there was something for which you could pray could open up some doors to the gospel (Col. 4:2-3).
| Category | Name | Prayer Needs | Verses to Pray | What Days |
| Person in Need | ||||
| Lost Person |
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.
