“You know, Stan,” I began, “sometimes I am reluctant to ask people to pray for me because I think they will see me as just wanting to be the focus of their attention.”
“I understand how you feel,” Stan responded, “but I assure you that asking others to pray for you is certainly okay. Even beyond okay. The apostle Paul is an example of someone who not only asked others to pray for him, he was not shy about reminding them of his situation and his need of prayer.”
Continuing, he said, “At the very end of his letter to the church in Colossae, Paul, in one short phrase, asked the church to not forget that he was being held in prison.”
Stan then said, “It seems to me that Paul’s request to be remembered was at least two-fold. In the first place, the church could help provide for his needs while he was in prison. As well, the church could pray for his wellbeing and release.”
Continuing, he said, “there is nothing wrong with reminding others to pray. I forget. Others forget. Forgetting is part of the human condition. I too often focus on myself and need to be reminded to focus on the needs and requests of others.”
Concluding, Stan said, “If I am not reminded, I may miss out on being a part of the intercession before God on behalf of another. That is an important thing I do not want to miss, so please do not be reluctant to ask me and to remind me to pray.”
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Remember my imprisonment. Colossians 4:18.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that you allow me to come before you in prayer on behalf of others. I confess that too often I do not pray for others as I should because I forget or I am too focused on myself. Please forgive me. And please help me in being open to every prayer request and to encourage others to remind me of their prayer needs. And lead me in praying in exact accord with your will for those who have asked me to pray. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Waiting for the Train 