“ Pray for me…”

I'm sure that like me, you've heard this query dozens or hundreds of times. How do you react, especially if the situation appears relatively desperate? I know the obvious answer is, especially for a true Christian, "I pray." But, is it really this simple? Should we pray for everything? 

There are people that have gone well beyond the bounds and for whom the judgment’s Cup of the Lord is full. The sanction must pass and nothing can no longer stop it: the time of Grace is over. 

“You were unmindful of the Rock that bore you, and you forgot the God who gave you birth. 19 "The Lord saw it and spurned them, because of the provocation of his sons and his daughters. 20 And he said, 'I will hide my face from them…23 "'And I will heap disasters upon them… 24 they shall be wasted with hunger, and devoured by plague and poisonous pestilence…25 Outdoors the sword shall bereave, and indoors terror, for young man and woman alike, the nursing child with the man of gray hairs…” (Deuteronomy 32:18ff, ESV) 

Charles H. Spurgeon said, "The Lord's mercy often rides to the door of our heart upon the black horse of affliction." Indeed, God punishes us out of love, just like a man chastises his child (Deuteronomy 8:5 & Hebrew 12:6). Sometimes, the only thing that can prevent some to go down into the pit, is the fire baptism of testing. And when you happen to have in front of you someone in such a situation, it is difficult not to beg the divine mercy for him. Even though, the real address should not be made the Lord, but to the one who is tested, in order to show him the way forward and help him remember the God who begot him, that the Lord may be propitious to him or her again. 

“For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it. 15 In a dream, in a vision of the night… 16 then he opens the ears of men and terrifies them with warnings, 17 that he may turn man aside from his deed and conceal pride from a man; 18 he keeps back his soul from the pit, his life from perishing by the sword. 19 "Man is also rebuked with pain on his bed and with continual strife in his bones, 20 so that his life loathes bread, and his appetite the choicest food. 21 His flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen, and his bones that were not seen stick out. 22 His soul draws near the pit, and his life to those who bring death. 23 If there be for him an angel, a mediator, one of the thousand, to declare to man what is right for him, 24 and he is merciful to him, and says, 'Deliver him from going down into the pit; I have found a ransom; 25 let his flesh become fresh with youth; let him return to the days of his youthful vigor'; 26 then man prays to God, and he accepts him; he sees his face with a shout of joy, and he restores to man his righteousness.” (Job 33:14-26, esv)

  

2 years after my conversion, I met a woman who had some skin lesions that had become increasingly so uncomfortable that, she had to hide them under long clothing. She explained that they would disappear when away from Brussels, and reappear shortly after her return. Many pastors had prayed for her and each time, she had only had a short respite. Full of zeal and compassion, I started throwing spiritual atomic bombs in every direction with another brother. We were determined to get even with the Devil that day. A few minutes later, I saw us in a vision, losing our breath trying hard to push a concrete wall that would not move an inch. I mentally wondered about it for a while, then stopped, explained what I had seen, and told the lady that our prayers were vain for she knew the cause of her troubles. She admitted some terrible things to us and the prayer session ended with one advice: ‘‘Stop and put your life back in order.’’ 

Those who are under God’s judgment usually tend to do as if they don’t have a clue as to what is happening to them and they go around, looking for someone who will shorten their penitence. And, it is possible! Indeed, Job 22:30 says, “He delivers even the one who is not innocent, who will be delivered through the cleanness of your hands.” 

God is Faithful; because of a covenant, He may grant His servant’s - a clergyman or a layman - request and change His sentence. It happened with Moses; The Lord was determined to exterminate the people after the golden calf incident but, Moses prayed…and God ‘‘repented’’… (Exodus 32). Same story with Job: the Lord was so angry with his friends who had foolishly spoken of Him, that He wanted to harshly deal with them but Job’s intercession stopped the wrath (Job 42:7,8). And what about Jesus? He pleaded our cause while we rightly deserved to die and we were forgiven because of Him. That’s why God didn’t want Jeremiah to pray: it was important He acted severely and He didn’t want to risk cancelling His judgment. Despite the great suffering of the people, the Lord told him thrice: “And you, do not pray for this people; do not lift up cry or prayer for them. Do not intercede with Me, for I do not hear you.” (Jeremiah 7:16, 11:14 & 14:11). While Samuel was afraid to sin against God by ceasing to pray for them (1Samuel 12:23), Jeremiah could have said instead: ‘‘Far from me to sin against God by praying for you!’’ 

It is worth noting that there is often a very high price to pray for this kind of prayer because, the intercessor usually finds himself bearing the weight of the fault of the one for whom he was praying. Hence, participating, and partaking of his sins. That’s why the Bible tells us not to lay hands quickly on no one, nor share (take part) in the sins of others (1Timothy 5:22). There are circumstances in which one should not be too quick praying God to be merciful to people. He knows what He is doing and is doing it well. If He has decided to chastise, then it is the best thing to do. 

Moses was ready to have his name removed from the book of life: he was denied the entry into the Promised Land. (Yes, there is the rock’s episode ; but his interposition between God’s anger and the people certainly played a part in it as well). 

Jesus went through the torture of the Cross because our curse fell on Him. If you want to eventually die for sinners like He did, just pray without thinking. 

About 18 months ago, one of my sons in the Lord came to see me to complain that I had let him down. He had a project that was very dear to him and he had been talking to me about it for 2 years. He was convinced the Lord was behind it and had some intriguing coincidences as evidences of that; still, despite all his prophetic declarations and some 'faith' risks that he had taken, things were not moving forward and he was depressed. Worse, he could not ‘feel’ my support, whereas for something else, he could literally feel himself carried by my prayers. And he was right. I explained to him that I had a problem: I could not see what he was seeing and I did not know whether what he wanted to do was from God or not, contrarily to the previous adventure he had just mentioned. His faith was not enough to make me start as quick as a flash: I could not claim what he was wishing for, with the assurance he would have loved me to have, while I was not certain it was the will of God. I could only provide some advice and ask the Lord to enlighten him. It was a tough blow but, he took some days off to pray and reflect on his life and finally realized that he had somehow lost his way… 

‘‘Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven’’; the peace that surpasses all understanding can only fill our hearts if our prayer was in line with God’s will. When Jesus says, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours,” He speaks about the fulfillment of what was asked according to the will of the Father. Indeed, “this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.” (1John 5:14-15)

When I open my mouth to pray, it is to be listened to, heard and granted. My own credibility is at stake. That’s why I prefer seeking the Lord’s will concerning whatsoever, before praying for whatsoever… or whosoever.

  

The Holy Scriptures exhort us to accomplish the Law of Christ by carrying each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). Therefore, we ought to pray and fast for one another but, we have to do it wisely and with prudence. The next time someone tells you: ‘‘Pray for me,’’ don’t jump straightaway into bindings, unbindings and verses’ recitation but take time instead to understand what it is all about. ‘‘Lord, do You want me to pray for…? And if yes, how? ’’ 

In conclusion, I really think the most beneficial prayers we can say for anyone are: 

(1) ‘‘ Lord, Let him (her) know Your will.’’ And,

(2) ‘‘ Lord, change her (his) rebellious heart into one willing to obey You.’’

God bless you.