I'll Be Praying for You
Bible Readings
Take a few minutes to read the Bible verses listed and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in how this verse applies to you this week.
Memory Verse
“First of all, I ask you to pray for everyone. Ask God to help and bless them all, and tell God how thankful you are for each of them.” (CEV)
Would you rather work in a group or work by yourself?
Each winter, it was Peter’s job to shovel the driveway. One really snowy day, Peter stopped to catch his breath and saw that he was not even halfway done with the driveway! How was he going to finish shoveling before it got dark? Just then, he saw his dad walking toward him with a shovel! Peter no longer felt as tired. He knew that with both of them shoveling they would be done before dark.
When we help someone, we boost them up. Sometimes we wish we could help, but we don’t know how we can. Paul reminds us that we can always pray. Just like when Peter found it easier to shovel when he had help, we can encourage people by praying for them as they go through difficult things.
First, prayer encourages them, because they know that we are walking alongside them.
Second, prayer assures us that Jesus is there with them and has not forgotten them. Finally, prayer reminds us that God is bigger than the problem they’re facing. In prayer, we place someone’s needs in the hands of the One who created everything, who rose from the dead, and who goes with us when we have trouble. How great is that?
As you pray today, pray to encourage someone in your class, a person at your church, or a special friend. Then if you feel comfortable telling them, let that person know that you prayed for them. Let them know that Jesus is there for them and that God is bigger than the problem they’re facing. It might just be the help they need for whatever they’re going through.
Prayer
Dear God, I have someone that I want to pray for today. I ask that you would watch over them and lead them into hope and blessing. I trust that you will protect and hold them when life is hard. Show me ways that I can continue to help them, Lord. Amen.Related Resources
Philip Vander Windt
Philip VanderWindt is the pastor at Champlain Valley Christian Reformed Church. In his free time he enjoys building “tall-tall towers” with his kids, analyzing worldviews of films and music with his wife, photographing the beauty of God’s creation, dabbling in leathercraft and woodwork, and writing.