How To Pray For Those In Trials
I have a number of friends who are going through trials - some minor, some massive. I’ve noticed that at times my prayers for these people are limited to nothing more than asking God to bring the trial to an end. Nothing wrong with that. I really care about these people and don’t want to see them suffering. But is there more that I should be praying for? Scripture would say yes. So how should we pray for those who are suffering? A few thoughts:
Pray For Their Joy
James 1:2 says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds…” The Christian is called to count trials as joy. Sounds impossible right? What sort of crazy person would rejoice in the midst of suffering? This kind of joy can only come from God. So when we pray for the suffering, let’s pray that God would give them his joy. Only supernatural joy can sustain someone through the crushing heartaches of this world.
Pray For Their Sight
The heat of suffering often blinds us to what God is doing even in the midst of trials. We desperately want the pain to stop, which is understandable. But this often causes us to miss God’s extraordinary sanctifying work that can only happen through trials. James 1:3 says that, “…the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” God does great, heart-changing things in the midst of suffering. Let’s pray that God would give our suffering friends eyes to see him working.
Pray For Their Patience
O how difficult it is to be patient in suffering! We just want some relief, some rest, some peace. Yet James 1:4 says, “And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Trials have a cleansing, sanctifying, God-glorifying effect on our lives. But this transformation takes place over time, and we can’t short circuit this process. Let’s pray that God would give our friends patience in the midst of their afflictions.
Pray For An End
God is full of mercy and love toward those who are suffering. He sees their tears and hears their cries. Pray that God would bring the trials of your friends to an end. Keep knocking, keep asking. God will be faithful.
Posted in Trusting in Trials
May 15th, 2008 at 7:11 am
Thank you! Those are great ways to pray, very helpful.
May 15th, 2008 at 9:23 am
YellerDaisies - So glad it was helpful for you.
May 15th, 2008 at 11:03 am
Thanks for this post.
We have been going through II Corinthians at church. Your post made me think especially of II Cor. 4:7 - “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” The earthen vessel is our weakness and suffering. God puts His treasure in our broken down earthen vessels so that the surpassing power might be shown to belong to God and not us. Suffering equips us for ministry. The power of God works through us in suffering to bring life to others.
Several times we are told NOT to be discouraged as we go through sufferings. There is no comparison when it comes to viewing our “light afflictions” with the “eternal weight of glory” that is coming! We can be encouraged by sharing in the fellowship of Christ’s suffering as we anticipate His resurrection power being manifest through us.
May 15th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
i agree. these points are very helpful. your comment on praying for sight reminds me of Isaiah 42:16
And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
This is so biblically practical if that’s not redundant to say.
Too often as believers, we only pray for relief from the circumstances rather than choosing to participate with what God is doing in others’ lives by praying for His purposes which are well laid out in scriptures like the only you highlighted. I have been convicted a number of times recently that I often find myself more grieved by trying circumstances than hopeful for the good work that God is bringing about through those circumstances. It’s my faithless heart. I must confess unbelief and we all must ask God for faith to pray the ways you mentioned.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Emily - Thanks for sharing that verse. How good it is to know that God gives us sight in the midst of darkness, and will not forsake us.
Briana - I’m in the same boat with you. Too often I fail to see beyond circumstances to the God who is doing great things in the midst of trials. I need God to give me that sight.
May 15th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Thanks for reminding me of this. Lately, as I’ve started to strengthen my paryer life, I have noticed that I something is missign from my prayers and I think you just told me what that was. I was praying for the right things, ya know, for them to get better or for whatever is plaguing them to be defeated, but I wasn’t praying for their strength to fight the battles and I wasn’t praying that the Lord would equip them with what they need, things like joy, patience, etc. So again, thank you! :]
-Bee-
May 15th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Wow, God has some amazing timing. I was driving home from work today acutely aware of some very difficult situations in the lives of several of my coworkers, and found myself praying that He would show me how to pray for them - I’ve just been at a loss for how to pray for them the past few days. This post was definitely the focus I needed.
Thanks!
May 15th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Violet - Sorry I missed your comment earlier, for some reason it got caught as spam. Thanks for sharing those excellent thoughts.
Bee - Glad you found the post helpful. I’m glad God used to the post to encourage you!
Leanne - Thanks for your encouragement. If your coworkers aren’t Christians I’d encourage to pray for their salvation first and foremost. After all, that’s their greatest need!