Prayer, An Act of Service

Prayer, An Act of Service / Author: Cynthia Greene

Jesus Christ came and set us an example of taught us to be servants.  There are many ways we can serve other people through acts of: hospitality, sharing, donation, volunteerism, listening, sharing wisdom, and leading by example.

Do you ever think of Prayer as an act of service?

We are called to be living sacrifices and Romans 12 reminds us that we all have make-up different parts of one body. 

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; ⁸ he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. -Rom. 12:1-8

As we allow Jesus Christ to do His work in each of us we join others in the “Ekklesia”, the whole body of Christ, to fulfill God’s work.  Praying for one another is a work, an act of service for one another.

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” – James 5:16

Fellow brothers- and sisters-in-Christ represent another part of the body of Christ, another member of the family of God.  They each have unique talents, callings, and experiences.  Lifting each other up in prayer keeps us focused on others and is an expression of Agape love. Prayers for others can include praying for their healing, protection, guidance, courage, faithfulness, and deliverance from a trial.

Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. – Gal 6:2

We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers (1 Thessalonians 1:2, ESV).

For, dear brothers, you have been given freedom: not freedom to do wrong, but freedom to love and serve each other.  -Gal 5:13

For even I, the Messiah, am not here to be served, but to help others, and to give my life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45, Living Bible)

Let us Prayer for One Another

Let us Prayer for One Another – Lyrics

Let us pray for one another,
For the day is fading fast
And the night is growing darker,
While the scourge goes flaming past;
We can see it in the darkness
closing round our narrow way,
And the snares are growing thicker:
For each other let us pray.

We are walking down time’s vista;
We are very near the end;
Let us pray that God, the Father,
Will his guiding Spirit send.
Now the foe becomes more daring,
Knowing well the latter day;
‘Tis the strength of his despairing;
For each other let us pray.

Pray in faith, and pray unceasing,
To the God we love and trust,
For our prayers are much availing
If we walk upright and just;
Be not weary of exhorting;
Heed the lesson of each day;
And that we may be unwavering,
For each other let us pray.

It is waning on toward midnight;
Soon we’ll hear the watchman say,
“See, the Son of God is coming;
Go and meet him on the way!”
That our lamps may then be burning
Bright enough to guide our way,
And that we may share his glory,
For each other let us pray.