Imagine a princess. She’s the daughter of the king. He’s a good king, but oh so powerful. There is no one above him. He has the ability and authority to do anything. Choose the king of every nation, send an army, pay any price, sentence a criminal, provide anything and everything he pleases for his daughter and anyone else he pleases.
He has held this princess in his arms and loved her and taught her from her first breath. He feeds her and gives her gifts, gives her authority over parts of his kingdom. He makes sure that she is guarded and has made sure that she is trained for battle.
He is so wise and always knows what to do. She is welcome to speak to him at any time. There has never been a time that she has gone to him that he has turned her away. He always has time and is always happy to see her. Always ready to give her gifts.
Now imagine this princess is visiting with a friend. Maybe the friend is sick and needs a doctor, poor and needs gold, hurting and needs comfort. Something is missing that needs to be found, relationships need restored, justice needs to be served.
She takes her friend by the hand and smiles. She knows just what to do. She will introduce her friend to the king. She has the right. She leads her friend to the throne room and opens the door. “Dad!” calls the princess as she leads her friend to the throne. “Daughter!” he booms in return and throws his arms open. “Dad, this is my friend…”
This is the picture God gave me one day right after I prayed with a stranger. The scene of a daughter, who has access to the throne room of God, bringing a friend to Him. It was the first time I realized what was happening in the spiritual realm when I was praying in the natural.
I didn’t start praying for people in person because I understood this concept, I started praying in person for people because God told me to. I would be talking to someone, and the word pray would pop into my head and not leave until I obeyed. I prayed awkwardly at first and then with time it got easier. I’m still awkward sometimes, just ask the woman I met at church last Sunday. Ha!
I pray for people when I heard a need, and if I don’t hear a need, I just ask how I could pray. Some people answer and some don’t. Some look blessed and some want to run for their lives. Some actually do run! Or at least walk suspiciously fast. Later, I pray for them anyhow as I work through my own pride issues.
I once prayed for a friend and asked God to “draw her near” to Him and when He did, I was so thrilled that I started including it in all my prayers. I pray for healing, relationships, finances, and everything under the sun. He loves to hear our prayers, and He loves to answer them.
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. -Hebrews 4:16 NIV
I enjoyed praying for people in person before that vision but on the day when God showed me what I was really doing it changed my boldness. I’m desperate to pray for people now. I know what it means to bow our heads together and approach the throne of grace with confidence.
I can take anyone, anyone, to meet with the King of Glory. Not metaphorically but literally. This throne room is not some wishy-washy concept but an actual location with an actual King. The King of Heaven and Earth is there.
I can go in with my sisters and brothers, other children of the King. We can run to Him together and say, “Dad! We need you!” and every time His eyes light up, His voice booms, and He throws His arms wide open to us. “Just ask!” He laughs.
We fail to perceive. We don’t get what we want when we want it. We let the world tell us what to do when we need help. We give up and stop running to His throne room, but still He calls. He’s right there with you right now. It doesn’t matter if you can’t tell. Do not doubt the Lord your God. He is right there.
Praying for someone in person isn’t weird, it may just be new to us. If we knew, truly knew what was happening each time we prayed we would do it more. Beautiful and eloquent prayers and stumbling and awkward prayers bring the same power. Same throne room. Same King.
Go alone, go with someone who’s been there before, or bring someone new. Just go. Give thanks, praise, and make your requests known to our Father, Dad, Papa, Abba. The King of Glory. He won’t ignore you. He will hear from Heaven and He will answer.
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.Matthew 6:9-13
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One response to “Praying in Person”
[…] couple weeks ago I wrote about praying for people in person, and jumping at the opportunity to go to God alongside of someone who is in need. Taking them by the […]