Can You Reach My Friend?

James 5:16 Pray for one another that you may be healed

The centurion came to Jesus. “My servant is very sick”, he said, “I think he is going to die. Could you please heal him?” Now this was interesting. Generally, Romans were heathens, not believing in the true God. It was surprising that one should be coming to Jesus with such a request. But it gets more interesting. When Jesus offered to come and heal him the centurion said, “Lord, you do not have to come. Just speak the word of healing right where you are and I know he will be healed”. No wonder Jesus said afterwards to His disciples, “I haven’t seen this kind of faith anywhere in Israel”.

The centurion’s servant was healed. But that leads to some questions. The centurion was a heathen. Does God hear and answer the prayers of heathens? And what about prayers for healing; isn’t it important that the person who is sick exercise his faith? In this case the person who was sick wasn’t even the one who was asking. Can we pray successfully for people who are not even praying for themselves?

God is our Father and He is kind to all of us – good and bad alike. He respects our choices and does not force us to acknowledge Him. He is sending blessings to everyone every day: rain, food, fresh air, protection. Sometimes He answers prayers immediately so that we will learn to have faith. At other times, He delays His answer, stretching our faith as He tries to build a faith relationship with us. But anyone can call out to God at any time and He will answer.

We must also learn to pray for each other. Paul prayed always for his church members. Our prayers will bring blessings to the lives of others even if they have not yet learned to have faith. Intercessory prayer (praying on behalf of someone else) is something we are urged to do as Christians. The Bible asks us to pray for one another. Pray for the sick ones and those who have financial or relationship or employment problems. Pray for deliverance for friends who have spiritual problems. Pray for other youth who are slaves to bad habits and destructive relationships and who need guidance in life. Pray for others because God has promised He will answer and bless them when we pray.

Dear Lord, today I commit myself to pray for others as you have asked me to, so that they can be blessed, in Jesus’ name, amen.