Continuous Thanks for Those that Believe

As a Christian I am in prayer. In prayer I do my best to follow the model that Jesus gave to the disciples. Giving thanks is a great part of my prayer each day for that which God has blessed me with. Well, what about those that came before me and are with me in Christ today?

“¹⁶I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,” – Ephesians 1:16 (ESV)

Paul made it a point in his letter to the Ephesians that he was in constant prayer of thanks for them. A bold declaration that he was praying for them constantly, that gets even bolder in the verses that follow.

“¹⁷that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, ¹⁸having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might ²⁰that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.” – Ephesians 1:17-21 (ESV)

Paul not only tells the Ephesians that he is thankful and praying continuously for them, he tells them why and for what exactly he is praying. It is one thing to indicate that we are praying for someone, however giving them the intimate details of what we are praying brings life and real empathy and love to the prayer and the interaction with the person.

I look back at the times I have told others that I am praying for them, and when I have told them what exactly I am praying for and really see the difference in the eyes and feel the difference in the hearts of those I pray specifics over. Yes, God does know what the person needs, but as a Christian, stating it to the person, especially a fellow believer, I am able to connect them more firmly to the love I have for them and the love that God has for them as His child.

When you pray for others, are you generic? Will you pray for the specific item of need for the individual? Are you bringing love and prayer directly to your brothers and sisters in Christ?