Wednesday: Praying for One Another
Daily Lesson for Wednesday 18th of March 2026
Read Colossians 4:2-4. What principles for prayer do you find in these verses? What prayer requests does Paul make?
Some of the most important words we can say to someone who is struggling with issues of various kinds, be they family, health, money, or something else, are “I’m praying for you.” This is heaven’s chosen means of connectivity and interactivity. “It is a part of God’s plan to grant us, in answer to the prayer of faith, that which He would not bestow did we not thus ask.”—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 525.
Image © Providence Collection at Goodsalt.com
Notice the impactful descriptions of prayer Paul uses: “continue” (or persevere), “earnestly,” “being vigilant,” and “with thanksgiving”—signaling that this is a prayer of faith (Colossians 4:2, NKJV). He tells us to pray “always” (Ephesians 6:18) and “without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Most amazingly, even though “we know not what we should pray for as we ought . . . the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26).
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Reread Colossians 4:3. What “door for the word” (NKJV) might God open for you to share your faith? |
Significantly, Paul also prayed for the right words to speak. Sometimes, when we read his letters or his speeches in the book of Acts, we imagine that the apostle was always eloquent, with never a doubt as to what he should say. But here he asks for prayer that he may proclaim the message “clearly” (Colossians 4:4, NIV). He also uses a very important Greek word (dei) in the last phrase of the verse, which could be translated “as I must speak,” pointing to the divine necessity of the work of proclaiming the gospel. He recognized the importance of presenting the message to people at the highest levels of the Roman government, including Caesar’s household.
“It is not always necessary to bow upon your knees in order to pray. Cultivate the habit of talking with the Saviour when you are alone, when you are walking, and when you are busy with your daily labor. Let the heart be continually uplifted in silent petition for help, for light, for strength, for knowledge. Let every breath be a prayer.”—Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, Pages 510, 511.
After I had written my comment yesterday about, it occurred to me that I had a really good idea about workplace relationships that I should have mentioned. Then I read today’s lesson post and I thought my good idea fitted today’s lesson even better.
So what was my good idea? For most of my professional life I have worked in Adventist Education institutions, but occasionally I have done contract and secondment work elsewhere and much of my research was done in secular universities. These institutions, at least at the time I was involved with them, had a tradition of morning and afternoon tea. The staff and researcher would gather for a 20-minute break for a cuppa and bikkie. I quickly learned that these breaks were not an assault on my Adventist health principles but were the hubs of informal interaction. It was during this time that staff members solved relationship problems before they became too large. OK I am a realist and some problems also grew in that environment too. But I saw and participated enough to know that most of the time, people listened to one another and shared. It was something that was missing from the Adventist institutions where I worked, where we tend to put health principles ahead of communication.
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Why am I mentioning it here in the context of praying for one another? I have concluded that most of our discussion about prayer is one-sided. Prayer is communication and for communication to be effective, we must both talk and listen. We have a lot to say about the talking side and say very little about the listening. When we cite the platitude about “praying for one another” it would be wise to add the words, “and listen to one another.” Some of us a pretty stubborn about the listening idea and God has used some drastic measures to get us to listen. He used a donkey to get through to Baalam, and he knocked Paul off his donkey before he would listen to God.
The thing about the morning tea situation is that is that if you listen carefully, you hear the prayers of others, even non-believers. A staff member indicates that another staff member is bullying them. You can do something about it. Someone needs a ride to pick up their car from service after work. I can help out. There are so many little prayers that you can answer easily.
I know that in this forum, we like to get to the deep spiritual relationship thing because that is what salvation is all about. We want to jump to the bit where we start talking about Jesus. Sometimes in our rush to get there, we become insensitive to the needs of others. Part of every prayer should be, “Lord, teach me to listen!”
Just for the record, I did have some deep spiritual conversations with some of my colleagues, but that too involved a lot of listening.
Dear Maurice, I smiled when I began to read your comments on listening. I said to myself , he is driving straight up my alley. I do appreciate that significant point you made about listening to others and the material it produces for us to pray on their behalf as well as tangibly assisting them.
I would like to present a different angle. I see prayer at times as a conversation with God; and since it is a conversation I am eagerly attuned to hear His voice. Now I will be honest with you, I cannot recall God ever speaking to me audibly. However He speaks. So how do I listen for His reply, His input, His response as I pray ?
Since I must be brief, I will simply state some of them. Some of them could occur while I am still on my knees, for example a powerful impression or a particular line of thought. Others can occur in a prayerful encounter with the Word-the Bible. As I maintain a prayerful attitude during the course of the day, a particular conversation echoes His voice, an unusual circumstance ( a burning Bush experience) articulates His thoughts.
The point is this: Prayer is a two way street. I speak to God and I also listen to His voice.
Praying for one another is a spiritual responsibility that we believers should never neglect. God will not be pleased with us if we neglect our spiritual responsibility. Actually, spiritual negligence is a sin.
“As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you” (1 Samuel 12:23, NIV).
The Bible calls believers as “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9) and therefore we stand on behalf of others in prayer. As royal priesthood we are called to intercede on behalf of others. When we pray for others, we demonstrate that we care about others. This is a vivid illustration of our love and affection for others. It is a solemn Christian duty which we can not abdicate as long as we hold the office of royal priesthood.
When we pray for others, we too get changed. The restoration of Job started when he stated praying for his friends. “When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before” (Job 42:10, NLT). Praying for others, drives away selfishness. It takes focus from self to others. Praying for others also promotes unity and increases compassion for others. God has not given this spiritual responsibility to angels, but to us human beings on behalf of other human beings. Seeking good for others is God’s perfect will for us.
Many people today describe their lives as busy, burned out, stressed, worn out, fatigued, overwhelmed, discouraged, fearful, and worried. In the midst of all this, one of the most meaningful gifts we can offer each other is prayer. Prayer is not only a command and a responsibility but also a great privilege. It has the power to make a real difference, as God’s power is revealed when His people come together to pray for one another. God hears the prayers of His people and is able to work mightily in every situation. As Ephesians 3:20–21 reminds us, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
Does not pray for one another mean also prayer with one another, which leads to visit one another? 1st come 1st though, pray that the Holy Spirit , will open the door not only to open the door for praying with one another but to others outside our prayer/study groups. May the Lord enrich us all spiritually as life marches on and never standing still for anyone of us.
My Bible says: When Paul was writing to the Colossians [he] was on his 1st time being imprisoned A.D. 60. This was not his final time going to Rome to be imprisoned. Therefore, his request of prayer for him/them/us, was answered more than he thought possible.
May the Lord of peace give every one of you the peace of heaven in everything you do. The Lord be with all of you. 2 Thessalonians 3:16. The Clear Word.
Check out Steps to Christ on the privilege to pray.
https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/108.367#367
I like the idea that praying for someone can be a gift. God hears our prayers for others in need to strengthen our faith and trust in Him to answer ours.
Amen
Without a doubt we will have struggles and suffer temptations in this world, and we’ll frequently fall prey to Satan’s attacks. However, Jesus has prayed and is praying for us, that though we be sifted as wheat as was Peter, God would use that sifting to strengthen our resolve.
We will not walk in a manner worthy of God merely because we want to. We need God to teach us how. That we want to and why we want to matter massively to God.
The commission Jesus left for us could not have been clearer (Matthew 28:19–20). We may forget it or neglect it in seasons of our lives, but it will not be because the charge is ambiguous. God calls every follower of Jesus to win followers for Jesus, and teach them to obey all that Jesus has said, Paul writes,
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. (Colossians 4:2–4)
I agree wholeheartedly with Ellen G. White’s quote featured in today’s lesson. Praying continuously throughout one’s day keeps us close to God’s Spirit of Wisdom and Truth, enabling us to be receptive to the heavenly help at any moment.
Have you considered that when you pray for your family, friends, anyone else, addressing any issues that burden the heart, that you do not fight but rather desire to go about finding ways to resolve matters in a peaceful and practical way?
For me, prayer is the only way I can peacefully direct my grievances to my Impartial Judge – my heavenly Father -. He understands all the circumstances, knows my heart, and directs my thoughts – so preventing me to complicate the problem. Praying at all times will also help prevent matters to develop in the firsts place.
If at all possible, stepping back while praying to prevent further escalation, letting God resolve matters according to His Wisdom and in His good time, goes a long way for man to live peacefully with his neighbor – 1 Thess.5:16-18
Prayer can become a “holy addiction”. I pray with a few friends, and we say to each other that we are addicted to prayer: it goes faster, there is no limit, and it can be done anywhere. Prayer is awesome!