Praying For My Neighbour

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ..."

Colossians 4:2-3a

Praying for our neighbours is a wonderful way to love them.

The Bible reminds us that prayer changes things. When we pray we invite God into a situation. And when we pray for others we not only build our relationship with God, but our empathy for the people we're praying for increases.

So this winter, let's start a new habit, or continue an old one, and pray for our neighbours.

Where to Start

If you know your neighbours name, pray for them by name. If you don't yet know it, perhaps ask God to give you an opportunity and the courage to find out. Otherwise, don't worry, God knows their name, He'll know who you mean.

Thankfulness and Praise

Start by thanking God for your neighbours - dig deep for ways in which you're grateful for them, or simply the fact that they are an example of God's glorious creation.

Invite God

Invite God's surpassing goodness into your neighbour's life. If they don't yet know him ask him to help them come to know Him. If they're Christians, ask God to help them walk more closely with Him.

Pray Specifically

You may know something of your neighbour's needs. What have they told you? What have you noticed? Invite God's loving power into their particular situation.

Trust

Trust that God has heard your prayers.

Pray - Trust - Repeat

Pray for your neighbour daily or regularly.

Praying with my neighbour?

Many of us would love to move from praying for our neighbours to one day praying with them. That may or may not come to pass, according to God's will and timing.

In the meantime you can perhaps: