Luke 18:1

King James Version

1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

When we look through the Bible, we see a repetitive instruction for the believer to pray, scriptures from different authors exhorting us to pray, to keep praying, and to never stop praying, and the reason for that cannot be overstated considering the endless list of things to pray for or about.

This week we have been highlighting a list of things to pray about and in today’s devotional, we turn our attention to the significance of prayer for The Body of Christ. I invite you to ponder a foundational question: “Why should we pray for The Body of Christ?” Well, the answer to that is brought to light by the following scripture:

Ephesians 3:14-15

King James Version

14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

In his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul shows us something important here, the bond of Family in Christ. He said he bows before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who the whole family in heaven and earth is named. This insight reminds us that God’s fatherhood extends beyond just Jesus and you – you’re part of a vast family, one so large that just the earth cannot contain us, but we need heaven too. Glory to God!

And just in case we aren’t convinced enough, we find that Jesus also prayed like this when He was teaching His disciples a method of prayer.

John 20:17

King James Version

17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

Here, Jesus after his resurrection addressing the disciples refers to this kinship and bond that we share. “My father” and “Your Father” indicate a shared fatherhood encompassing both you and me. This revelation is cause for great rejoicing!

This profound understanding should not only transform our perception of God but, more significantly, reshape our approach to prayer. You must now consider your family in Christ when you pray. There are many struggling, in persecution, in the mission field who need us to pray for them. In the following moments, we will explore crucial reasons why every believer should fervently pray for the well-being of the body of believers but before then you must believe that your prayers are needed and you must consider it a responsibility to pray for your brothers and sisters.

So why must you pray for others?

1. Your prayers can help those who are weak or backsliding.

Romans 15:1-3

King James Version

1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.

3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.

A lot of times, we would find other believers around us who might be going through a phase and need help, but we would need to take an example from Jesus.

Luke 22:31-32

King James Version

31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Just as Jesus did, we also can strengthen our brethren in the place of prayer, we can raise men back up by interceding for them.

So when you begin to hear rumors about a brother, instead of going to talk to someone else about it why not talk to their Father first? Our father is always willing to listen, and He beyond anyone else can provide the needed help.

1. Your prayers can bring healing (physical or mental) to any sick person in the body of Christ.

James 5:16

King James Version

16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Paul in this text confirms to us that if only we can stay in the place of prayer for our brothers and sisters then they would be healed, if by the way, we are ready to pray the effectual fervent prayer for them.

Let’s take a look at another text where Jesus says.

Luke 13:16

King James Version

16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?

Jesus was saying that the healing He was about to give to this woman was inherently hers. It was her lot as an heir of Abraham. Similarly, for everyone who has been born of the Spirit into the family of God and has become an heir of the Father of faith, healing is an inherent aspect of their inheritance through faith also.

And they really can be healed, if we are willing to pray for them as we ought.

1. Your prayers can strengthen the men at the forefront, who are in the mission field or in chains for the Gospel.

Philippians 1:18-19

King James Version

18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

The Apostle here says that he is certain that his present situation even as bad as it was would lead to his deliverance but all of this was not just wishful thinking. He was certain of this because he knew that the church was praying for him. So we see that even the Apostle leaned in on the prayers of the saint for him.

And it’s not so surprising because he says for us to pray for the other believers also going through the burnt of it as well.

Hebrews 13:3

King James Version

3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

Take a look at his request to the church in Rome also.

Romans 15:30-31

King James Version

30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;

He knows the nature of the work there, he knows the people that he would have to stand in front of to speak, he knows their intentions but he asks the church to partner with him in prayers that he would be delivered from them.

As we pray for our personal needs and the rest of the body, we must never forget those of us who have decided to put the needs of the Gospel above their health and safety and we must remember that they too an integral part of the body of Christ, deserving our fervent prayers and intercession.

The devotional for today would be concluded with this text, we are encouraged to go about our day today having this 2-lined verse in mind.

Galatians 6:2

New International Version

2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

And as you go on about your day, be reminded that you are not an only child in God’s family, but you were adopted into God’s big family and He expects that you love and care for others in this body also.

Prayer Point:

Father God, I thank you for bringing me into such a beautiful and vast family, and understanding what my prayer can achieve. Lord I pray for my brothers and sisters, I pray for those who are weak to find strength, for those who are struggling to find help, and for those who are being persecuted to find boldness, strength, and wisdom.