Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
Have you ever thought that by praying for others we are actually being prepared ourselves? I know that I pray with more intensity and desire when I or someone I love is being impacted. If we have a loved one in a car accident, do we not pray harder for them? If a family member we love is caught in a sin or an issue, do we not pray more for them? To be honest, we pray earnestly when we are impacted. It is a rare individual that would pray with the same heart with every prayer.
Jesus did.
When I read John 17, I am reminded of the great love in which we are prayed for. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. (John 17:20-21) In the Garden, as He prepared to go to the cross, He prayed for us. What I love about this passage is a reminder that He not only loved the disciples He walked with, He love His own. It was with that which allowed Him to take the walk to our Salvation.
When the Lord tells us to love one another, to bear each others burdens and care for one another, He is not telling us to do so heartlessly. He tells us to do this for our good and with a true heart of relationship. The closer I get to others the more I pray for them. To carry one’s burden to the Lord means I place the burden on my back. I go to the Lord with that burden as though it was mine. I devote myself to carry this burden. Therefore, when someone asks of us to pray, they are asking that we take on their burden. I hope we all can learn this.
Don’t just tell someone you will. Pray with them at that moment and at that time. Then you have. Once the burden is delivered it is too late to help. Think about it.
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