My dear readers,

1. Praying one for another

The kindest thing we can do to our brethren is to pray one for another, much better than talking about one another, for in the course of talking, our words may be misunderstood or misinterpreted. Therefore, let us do that which is good and blessed.

Our Lord Himself set us the example. To Peter, the spokesman of the Twelve, He said, "But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren" (Luke 22:32).

To all the disciples, Jesus said, "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever" (John 14:16). If our Lord prayed thus, ought not we to learn from His example and pray one for another? This sort of praying makes the heart tender and forgiving, kindly disposed one to another.

It may surprise some of us to know that our Lord Jesus, now ascended to His heavenly home, continues His work on our behalf, which is part of His "unchangeable priesthood." Hebrews 7:24, 25 says: "But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."

Our ascended Lord knows all our weaknesses and needs. Before the Father’s throne, He remembers us, and He pleads our case, praying on our behalf. We may believe that our Lord’s prayers are perfect, according to the will of the Father and therefore much more effective than ours.

Remembering His kindness and concern on our behalf, let us be ever so grateful to Him and daily thank Him for it.

Then we read also of the ministry of the Holy Spirit on behalf of the children of God. "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God" (Rom 8:26-27).

Today this joint intercession by God the Son and God the Holy Spirit on our behalf is of the greatest worth and assurance to us in our present carnal state. Paul the apostle confesses thus: "…but I am carnal, sold under sin … For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing … For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do … O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord ..." (Rom 7:14-25).

In the helplessness of our wretched carnal state, we thank God that we have One who "… is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Heb 7:25). Praise God, our ever living Saviour saves us to the uttermost, making intercession for us.

How shall we conclude this brief meditation on "praying one for another"? Be careful how we pray and what we pray for. Unless we pray aright we have no assurance that our prayers will be answered. If we want our prayers to be effective, let us heed the instruction of God’s Word. To this end, John the apostle writes, "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him" (1 John 5:14-15).

Beloved, let us pray one for another according to the will of God. Amen.

2. Pray without ceasing (1 Thess 5:17)
Daily Remembrancer
"IN EVERYTHING BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION." Our Father is ever willing to receive us in prayer. In prayer then we must approach God as a Father, ask of Him what we really need, and expect to receive according to His wisdom and will. Our wants are constantly recurring, therefore our prayers should be constantly ascending. The ear of God is always open. He is ever ready to listen to us. He invites, exhorts, and commands us to pray always, in everything. Every object that meets the eye, every circumstance of life, every employment in which we engage, are worthy matters for prayer. The believer should cultivate the habit of prayer. He should look up to God for all he needs, through all he sees, whenever he has a moment to spare. The prayers of a Christian are pleasant to God; He says, "...let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely" (Song 2:14).The believer should pray as naturally and as constantly as he breathes, for prayer is the breath of the soul. Beloved, if your prayers dwindle into a mere duty, is but occasionally offered, or become burdensome, it is clear that you are in a most unhealthy state. Pray for revival mercy from God!

Through the skies when the thunder is hurled,
The child to its parent will flee;
Thus amid the clamour of the world,
I turn, O my Father, to Thee;
The spirit of prayer in Thy mercy impart,
And take up Thy constant abode in my heart.

Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service,
Dr SH Tow, Sr Pastor