“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16.

“Prayer, is a habit of attention brought to bear on all that is.” – Patricia Hampl. A habit of attention… means to focus, concentrate, and center our minds and thoughts on one aspect. The first step in prayer is acknowledging God as Creator of all things, He is aoveriegn, and is due all honor, glory and praise. “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:9-10.

Our humble submission to His Lordship, helps us to admit our failures, weaknesses, and limitations- readily asking for forgiveness of our sins –  clearing the way for us to ask for the petitions that we desire and hear as He speaks to our hearts. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9.  

Those of us who know the worth of prayer-can testify that it is impossible for us to fall on our knees and pray for ourselves without praying for the needs and concerns of others; when we genuinely love the Lord and our fellowman, we will obediently pray for the welfare of all. “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;” 1 Timothy 2:1.

I am reminded of the gospel spiritual that goes… “Somebody prayed for me, had me on their mind, they took the time and prayed for me. I’m so glad they prayed.”- Georgia Mass Choir. God strategically places others on the mind of His faithful servants who will stop and pray.

The book of Nehemiah chapter one gives us a wonderful  example of his heart wrenching prayer to God when hearing the ruined state concerning the Jews and their homeland in Jerusalem. “Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father’s house have sinned.” Nehemiah 1:6.

Nehemiah was committed to praying day and night for the servants of God; God answered Nehemiah’s prayer and gave him favor in the sight of the King; he was allowed to go to Jerusalem and bring relief to God’s people. God always answers our prayers according to His will. 1 John 5:14 states “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”

Are you willing to be obedient when He calls and you hear that small whisper to pray for the concerns of a friend, a neighbor, pastor, loved one or whomever He chooses-my friends, prayer is one of the greatest gift that we can give to others. . .  I am so glad  that somebody has prayed for me!

So, let us fervently pray for all men, there is power in prayer… James 5:16 states “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

God answers prayers….be faithful and remain steadfast in prayer!

Blessings and peace to all.