When someone I know has a need, my first response is often to pray for the obvious answer to their problem. A job when they’re unemployed. A windfall when they’re low on money. A disease to be healed. It seems simple but is there more?
Is there a better way to pray for their situation and more importantly for them?
• Pray that the eyes of their heart would be enlightened to see God’s hope in spite of the situation (Ephesians 1:18).
• Pray that the evil one will not be able to take advantage of them in their time of need (John 17:15).
• Pray that they will not fall into the temptation of doing things their own way.
• Pray that they will hear clearly from God every step of the way.
• Pray that they stay joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in their own prayer life (Romans 12:12).
• Pray that they will feel the Lord’s nearness to them no matter when their answer comes (Psalm 145:18).
Yes, pray for the direct answer to their prayers but also pray for their overall wellbeing and their faith. Then even if God’s direct answer is “no” or “wait”, they will have the strength to keep going.