Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—

• 1 Timothy 2:1

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

• James 5:16

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

• Matthew 5:44

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

• Ephesians 6:18

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,

• Colossians 1:9

After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.

• Job 42:10

I love all the views, visitors, likes, and most of the comments.  When a comment is laced with profanity, I do not allow it.  But even for those that do not identify themselves, I see the number from the different countries around the world, and I pray for those unknown, unseen people.  When I have a chance to visit the sites of those that like and comment, I try to understand what their blogsite is all about and I pray for their endeavors.  Each day, I pray for their health and safety.  Many visitors are in countries that oppress Christians in one way or another.  Praying for health and safety is paramount.

But looking through the Scripture above, we are to pray for everyone, pray for their health and wellbeing.  We are to pray for our enemies.  We are to pray for their salvation, and if already saved, their sanctification as they take their journey of faith.  And note that Job had been tormented by those that had come to “comfort” him, accusing him falsely to affirm their own ideas of why Job was suffering.

It was Job’s merciful act of praying for his friends that led to Job’s wealth and family being restored.  I have often thought about “Where is my Jemima?”  But is there a tormentor in my past that I have not only not forgiven, but I do not pray for their health, wellbeing, salvation, and sanctification?

We must all examine ourselves regarding that last one.  Maybe write out all those people who we can remember from our past and pray for each one.  And I will continue to pray for all those blog readers that I have never met.

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.