Praying Friends
I met my friend Angie for lunch after having not seen her for
several months. At the end of our time together, she pulled out a piece
of paper with notes from our previous get-together. It was a list of my
prayer requests she had been praying for since then. She went through
each one and asked if God had answered yet or if there were any updates.
And then we talked about her prayer requests. How encouraging to have a
praying friend!
The apostle Paul had a praying relationship with the churches he
served, including the one at Thessalonica. He thanked God for the faith,
love, and hope of the people (1 Thess. 1:2-3). He longed to see them,
and asked God “night and day” that he might be able to visit them again
(3:10-11). He requested that the Lord would help them “increase and
abound in love to one another and to all” (v.12). He also prayed that
their hearts would be blameless before God (v.13). They must have been
encouraged as they read about Paul’s concern and prayers for them. Paul
knew too his own need for God’s presence and power and pleaded,
“Brethren, pray for us” (5:25).
Loving Father, thank You for wanting us to talk with You. Teach us all to be praying friends.
I need the prayers of those I love
While traveling on life’s rugged way,
That I may true and faithful be,
And live for Jesus every day. —Vaughn
While traveling on life’s rugged way,
That I may true and faithful be,
And live for Jesus every day. —Vaughn
The best kind of friend is a praying friend.
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