A couple of thoughts about praying for others

The other day I mentioned something about prayer and Kelley asked me to share more. I sent her a quick email, but thought I'd answer in more detail here. 

I think this ties with the conversations Lisa and I are having about living simply. Especially as we move forward to talk more about daily quiet time--one of her goals.

A big part of my daily quiet time is praying for others. 

Growing up in the church, I heard "I'll pray for you" a lot. I said it a lot. And I have to say that I didn't always do it. It seemed like the thing to say and sometimes it seemed like not such a big deal. Somehow it didn't seem super practical to me. I have to admit that I sometimes had the attitude of thinking that it wouldn't do much good.

But here's the thing. As I mentioned yesterday, Toben is bipolar. And in the midst of all that coming to light and the heartache and confusion and sorrow and pain, there was really nothing people could do to help. Except pray.

I know that God used those prayers--of my parents, of their friends, of our friends, of people I didn't even know--to change our lives. 

And so I pray for others--I suppose the technical name for it is intercessory prayer. It is my joy and my privilege to pray for others--for you.

But the list gets long, the list gets overwhelming, and it can be hard to know where to start. So I've grouped requests into like categories to help me pray for others and to be faithful in it.

Here's what it looks like for me:

Mondays: My family--parents, in laws, my sister and her family
Tuesdays: Healing
Wednesdays: Marriages
Thursdays: Salvation for friends and family
Fridays: Our nation and the world; leaders in politics
Saturdays: Friends
Sundays: God's church in the world, my own church, missionaries

I also pray for Toben and the girls each and every day. I'm a huge fan of Power of a Praying Wife and Power of a Praying Parent. I had my copies spiral bound and flip to a new page each day. Go here to purchase a copy if you want.

(A note about my bookshop on Amazon. It's simply a place where I can recommend books and you can purchase them. It's part of Amazon so all your account information is already on file--assuming you shop there as much as I do!--and it ships directly from them. I earn a small commission that offsets all my textbook purchases!)

I write specific prayer requests in the books as I go along, and also how God has answered. I've done this for years, and can go back and see how God has been at work on a particular issue through the years.

***

Sorry I didn't get a Frugal Friday post done yesterday. Maybe later today. 

And I just learned last night that my mom HATES that picture I put up on her birthday. (Kristen used the same one--after all she took the picture!) Sorry, Mom! I'll see if I can't find one to replace it.

I'm off to Kimberly's later this afternoon for a tea party. I'm so looking forward to it!

Comments

[Alison]

I always said I would pray for people but always seemed to forget. I like you schedule for prayers during the week. It is very helpful!

[Traci]

Joanne-I love your idea of getting the books spiralbound and writing your requests in them! I'm going to do that with my copies, today. =) Also, praying for categories each day - awesome idea! I've ordered your new book and can't wait to dive into it. =)
~~Traci

[lisa writes...]

I give Power of a Praying Wife as bridal shower gifts!

[Gina]

Wow, I do the same thing! Except I have a small 3 ring binder that I keep everything prayer related organized in with lined paper, dividers and some page protecters. An organized prayer life has truly been the key for me to keeping my word and being diligent when I say I'm going to pray for someone. Plus, writing down how prayers are answered is such a testimony to the faithfullness of our Lord.

[Angela]

Hello, I've been a "lurker" here, am always interested in what you are saying, and just wanted to comment about something I've been wondering about the last few years...in our family, we have switched our language (especially at the dinner table) to "praying with", instead of praying for...it's a subtle shift. but for me, made all the difference. Praying with, feels like I'm joining in God's prayer, in the prayer of all of us...then, I felt like I could give up the outcome of what I was praying for...I don't know...it helped me...:) Thanks for sharing your wisdom and your journey.

[KristinF]

Joanne, you are such a blessing. I am often times overwhelmed during prayer time, then feel guilty because I forget things. You help simplify things to make it uncomplicated. I am journaling today and I ordered a few books (thanks) and I feel like I can be more faithful in prayer.
I also know that anytime I do ask you to pray (and often times when I don't even request it) that I know you do pray, faithfully.
Thanks friend!

[Lora @ By the Lamp Light]

Joanne, I am so tickled with your suggestion of spiral binding on the Stormie Omartian prayer books! Both books are part of my routine praying for my husband and children as well. My POAPW is falling apart and your suggestion is just the revival my tattered book needs. I write in my copies too! My oldest teen bought me a new copy of POAPP last year and I couldn't bear to part yet with the memories and dates and notes I have written inside. The testimony of seeing Him work in my family is documented inside these pages.

[Chris]

This has really followed my personal struggles and thoughts of late. I get annoyed with myself when I see someone and think, +:":/ I was going to pray for them and then guilty throw out a quick prayer. Sadly I must admit I frequently forget to follow it up and have tried to figure out if I can organize my prayer life and if I should. I kept wondering if that was turning my prayers into a to do list and it would demean them. Shouldn't I be able to pray just from my heart? but my memory is lousy.
I must say from someone who's lived in a loveless marriage for years, Power of a Praying Wife has done wonders for me, my marriage and through God, my husband. Very inspiring, even when it's a lesson hard to accept.