"For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you." Col 1:9 NIV
I was reading a letter recently from a missionary family. The wife told about having some neighbors over for a meal. Her husband explained to their guests that they prayed before they ate meals and asked if they would like to join them. The guests seemed a little uncomfortable. They acted like they had never before been a part of a prayer.
After they left, the wife thought, "Is anyone praying for this family? Anyone?" How sad to think that there are so many people in the world who have no one in their corner praying to the Living God for them.
I cannot begin to imagine a life where no one is praying for me. Having been raised in an environment surrounded by many Christian family members and friends, I doubt that a day has ever gone by when someone was not praying for me.
Yet how many people in the world have never had anyone utter a prayer for them, let alone pray with them? And what about unevangelized people groups around the globe that have no one praying for them?
This raises a question. Are we praying for the people God brings into our lives-our neighbors, shopkeepers, waiters, coworkers? Even a small people group on the other side of the world? There is a spiritual battle going on for the souls of people all around us. Chances are that many are lonely, troubled, financially strapped or depressed and might have absolutely no one praying for them.
Are you in the habit of praying for the people God brings into your life? If not, ask God to make this a natural thing for you. Not just casual prayers, but prayers for their salvation and wellbeing. Just think, you may be the only person on the planet who is praying for some of these folks.
Colin Stott
Global Prayer Coordinator