July 2, 2021 (Friday)
I believe every church maintains a list of people in need of prayer. The First Baptist Church of Rockport has such a list. I counted about 160 people on their list. When I was interim pastor at Bethel Baptist Church of Ingleside, we had a very long list also. As interim at First Baptist Church, Refugio, we prayed for many people on a very long list. We had a list at Timbergrove Baptist Church in Houston, where I was the pastor a few years ago. These are just the lists I have known of personally. People need to know others are praying for them. Yesterday’s blog was about Dale Pogue and me having been in the hospital; we are on more than one such list, and grateful for the prayers. I am sure that churches of many denominations have such lists. Added up, the lists must include thousands of people in need one way or another. Prayers are often offered for them.
1 Samuel 22:23 says, “God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you.” That is a statement that each of us can make under an endless number of circumstances involving others. It is not only our privilege to pray for others; it is our solemn obligation. Refusal to pray for people is a sin, according to this verse from the Bible.
The existence of these prayer lists is evidence that people all around us are standing in the need of prayer. When a person says, “Please pray for me,” they are sincerely asking us to intercede in prayer for them. We must not let them down. Let us be sure to pray for them.
Sung by the Revivaltime Choir:
I Am Praying for You
Author: Samuel O’Malley Cluff
Tune: Ira Sankey
I have a Savior, He’s pleading in glory,
A dear, loving savior, though earth-friends be few;
And now He is watching in tenderness o’er me,
But, oh, that my Savior were your Savior, too.
Refrain:
For you I am praying,
For you I am praying,
For you I am praying,
I’m praying for you.
I have a Father; to me He has given
A hope for eternity, blessed and true;
And soon will He call me to meet Him in heaven,
But, oh, that He’d let me bring you with me, too! [Refrain]
I have a robe: ’tis resplendent in whiteness,
Awaiting in glory my wondering view;
Oh, when I receive it all shining in brightness,
Dear friend, could I see you receiving one, too! [Refrain]
When Jesus has found you, tell others the story,
That my loving Savior is your Savior, too;
Then pray that your Savior may bring them to glory,
And prayer will be answered – ’twas answered for you! [Refrain]
Old Spiritual – Origin unknown