I have been stunned recently with the lack of understanding I have seen in people on how prayer works, who we should pray for and why we should pray. We have not done a good job of passing down our beliefs, it would appear. So I am going to hit you with Prayer 101.

From the very beginning of the Bible, we are taught to pray. God communicated with His people through prayer. In Genesis 4, after the birth of Adam and Eve’s grandson, it is stated, “At that time, people began to call upon the Name of the Lord.” But, even before then, God was talking with Adam and Eve in the garden.

It was when sin entered the world that the nature of prayer began to change. With Adam and Eve, before sin, it was pleasant conversation with God in the evening. After sin entered the world, prayer became much more about petitioning or asking God for His favor either on yourself, or someone else. Abraham pleaded with God to spare Sodom and Gomorrah, even though the actions of those living in those cities were vile. He prayed that his nephew Lot would be spared. Interceding on behalf of others.

Maybe this is the confusing part. Why should we pray for others? When someone has committed a great sin, why should we pray for that person? The pretty simple answer here is that God tells us that is what we should do. If we love someone, we pray for them. Even if their actions hurt us, we pray for them. And here is the other thing. Just because you pray for someone who has hurt you or done something wrong, that does not mean you are excusing their behavior. 

When I pray for someone else, particularly in the instance of having made a poor decision that has hurt me or others, I am actually praying that God heals their heart. That God takes that heart of evil out and gives them a brand new heart.  He says very clearly in His word that He will give us a new heart. In Ezekiel 36, God says, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you.” Clearly, He is in the heart transplant business.

When you pray to God on behalf of others, you are following His command to love as He loved. You are following His command to love your neighbor as yourself. When you pray on behalf of others, you are expressing God’s love right here on earth.

I think we can all agree that we live in a world of people who desperately  need someone praying for them. Praying that God will give them that new heart. Praying that God will make them feel the burden of their own sin so much so, that they will have to change directions.

Praying for others is not a sign of tolerance of horrible behavior. To me it is the exact opposite! It is seeing something so wrong, that you know that only God can heal that heart. It is not praying that they will feel no consequence for their behavior. It is praying that even though the consequences must still be paid, a loving Father is waiting to change that heart of stone to a heart of flesh.

Pray for others. It will make a huge difference!