Better Chaplain Series - Pray for People

If you could ask Jesus to teach you one thing, what would you ask?

    How to raise the dead?
    Heal the lame, blind, and infirm?
    Multiply loaves and fishes?
    Turn water into wine?
    Walk on water?
    Call down fire from Heaven?
    Cast out demons?
    Speak so people listen?
    Study the Bible?

All of those are amazing, but consider that Jesus’ closest disciples had this opportunity, and they asked, “Lord, teach us to pray.” (Luke 11:1)

Chaplains are expected to pray, and to be imitators of the greatest example of prayer. We ought to be known as men of prayer. We pray out loud so that others can be edified and say amen (1 Corinthians 14:16-17). We are called to be incessant in our prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17), it ought to be a far more substantial part of our ministries than it is for many of us.

If your disciples asked you to teach them one thing, would they ask you to teach them to pray?

No man can do me a truer kindness than to pray for me. ~ Charles Haddon Spurgeon

If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for. ~ Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Key Verse: I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. ~ 1 Timothy 2:1-2

More:

1. I was leaving my office on the way to an important meeting as an Airman was coming into the chapel. I recognized this Airman and knew that it could be a crisis. If someone endeavors to come all the way to a chapel or church, it is always a good idea to consider that they are seriously seeking someone to speak to. Based on our history I was ready to cancel the meeting I was enroute to, but this Airman asked something that has stuck with me for years, “Would you pray for me? You’re the only person who prays for me.” Is there anyone in your life that is unprayed for? Stop reading and rectify that right now.

2. Andrew van der Bijl (Brother Andrew), was banned from the Soviet Union after smuggling many Bibles and much encouragement into closed countries. He found solace in the fact that “Our prayers can go where we cannot; there are no borders, no prison walls, no doors that are closed to us when we pray.” Prayer should be our first resort, not our last, we need to talk to God about people before we talk to people about God. Take time to pray for someone you can’t have a conversation with.

3. Paul commanded Timothy to offer prayers for all types of people. That means the chaplain should be praying for and with the commander and the newest recruit and everyone in between. Its my policy, as much as possible, to end sessions with prayer. Sometimes its refused, but its never offensive. I’ve only had one person say, “Don’t pray for me, chaplain.” To which I had to honestly say, “Too late.” We should be praying out loud as often as is appropriate, but in private at all times.

4. When someone asks you to pray for them, do your best to pray right then and there, and then as is appropriate. But praying immediately does at least two things 1) Ensures you do pray for them 2) Shows the urgency and seriousness of prayer in their life.

5. Further Resources:

Ryle, John C. Do you Pray? London: Tract Committee of the Church, n.d.

Bunyan, John. A Discourse Touching Prayer. Bedford: Bedford Gaol, 1662.

Shearer, Canyon. “The Privilege of Prayer.” Trust and Obey. July 17, 2019. https://trustobey.blogspot.com/2009/07/privilege-of-prayer.html