We can often find it challenging to pray with others. We might be worried that our prayers won’t sound right and that others will be judging what we say. We might be unsure of praying for someone else’s situation, especially if we don’t know the person or the details very well. What if they don’t think our prayer for them is good enough? There are all kinds of reasons we might avoid praying alongside others. But it’s something we should be doing, and something the Bible encourages us to do. Here are a few reasons why we should get involved in praying with and for others: 1) It helps to unite us by bringing us together to pray as one. In his letter to the Roman church, Paul wrote ‘I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me’ (Romans 15:30 NLT). By praying for Paul, the Roman church was also getting involved in helping Paul’s ministry. 2) It encourages us to look beyond our own needs and focus on the needs of others. In the second part of Romans 15:30, Paul asks the church to pray because of their love for him. It’s a reminder to us of the way God loves us and looks at our needs. When we pray for someone else (including people we don’t like), it’s a demonstration of God’s love. 3) When we know someone’s praying for us, it can be a real encouragement through difficult times. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 reminds us, ‘Therefore encourage one another and build each other up’ (NIV). When we pray alongside someone, we’re supporting them through their struggle, just like the Roman church supported Paul.
