No, I will not pray for you !

Tuesday 25 May 2021

No, I will not pray for you !

“One of His disciples said unto him : Lord, teach us to pray.” Luke 11. 1

It's easy to say to someone : “I'll pray for you...” before they forget to do it! J. John is a well-known author and preacher in Britain, accustomed to leading evangelistic missions in large halls, and even stadiums. He also occupies an official position in the hierarchy of the Anglican Church. In this capacity he once took a taxi to the Archbishop of Canterbury's residence, Lambeth Palace. Arrived at the entrance, the driver turned to him and, with a wink, exclaimed : “So you are one of 'those'. So say a little prayer for me...” J. John retorted : “Why would I do it ? You are perfectly capable of praying for yourself. God wants to hear from you !” J. John stayed in the cab and took the time to bring this cab driver to Christ, also teaching him to pray himself ! Notice that the disciples needed to learn to pray, and Jesus taught them how to approach the Father, with the same freedom. Jesus prayed for His disciples, but did not pray for them. Interceding for someone is not the same thing. Too often when someone asks : “Pray for me”, it actually means : “Pray for me, because it saves me from doing it” or “Pray for me, because God will listen to you better than me !” , as if you had privileged access to the throne of grace. Let's get on well, Paul invites us to intercede for others (1 Timothy 2.1), but not to pray for them ! Tim Shallies says a lady called him one day to ask him to pray for her because she was not feeling well. He told her he would pray with her once. He later found out that she had contacted every church in Toronto, asking for the same. He adds : "It was as if she imagined that the more pastors she contacted, the more likely she would be healed !" But this is superstition, rather than intercession. Six months later, she called me again. She went around all the churches in the city again !” Sometimes you have to know how to say : “No, I won't pray for you !”

Source (His Word for Today)