I have a few friends encountering really big things — decisions, surgery, suffering — and while I can be present to listen or care or help them, which seems most important, the best thing I can do for them is to pray.

To intercede for someone before God is a huge responsibility and gift. The opportunity to metaphorically come before His throne, arms linked, with confidence and gratitude is amazing. To rejoice or cry with them in His company is unifying and powerful. To ask for God’s presence, power, or provision for someone might be the greatest way I can love them. Because as much as I would often like to, I can’t change their circumstances or their mind or their struggles, but I know the One who can.

The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].

James 5:16 AMP

God’s power, presence and love is what makes a difference in someone’s life, yes? Then why would I ever not diligently, enthusiastically, faithfully pray for it?

Because I get distracted. Or I forget. Or it seems fruitless.

Anyone else?

The longer I walk with God, the more I’m convinced that loving Christ and being constantly formed in His likeness is what others need from me. Christ modeled total dependence on His Father, not control or fretfulness or laziness or fear. The best thing I can give someone is Jesus and the truth of Scripture. The greatest thing we can all do for each other is be entirely dependent on the Holy Spirit as we go through the day, listening for how we can intercede for or encourage each other. I think this is what it means to be a praying life.

Prayer is not an afterthought in God’s plan. Prayer is not a Plan B, or a spare tire in case life breaks down.

Marshall Segal, DesiringGod.org

May we not only commit to praying for mountains to be moved and for hearts to be changed, but tenaciously for the stability, refreshment, joy and courage in Christ for those around us and Christians all over.

Here are a few ways I keep prayer for others in front of my forgetful, distracted self:

• Writing a person’s initials on my hand
• Sticky notes in the kitchen or changing table or car dashboard
• Alarm on my phone
• The Echo prayer app
• Expo marker on the bathroom mirror
• A note in my planner

How do you keep prayer for others in front of you?