Who do you pray for?
I have a typical list of people I pray for. And then I have the people I pray for by circumstance and situation — it’s more like a blanket prayer.
And then there are people I pray for that for some inexplicable reason they are on my heart. Of course, I can explain it. It isn’t inexplicable, it’s just that God put them on my heart for some reason.
I often know precious little about them or their situation. And, as I mentioned before, I don’t need to know the situation. I don’t even need to know them. My prayer isn’t a cop out for not physically doing something for them. It is doing something.
It isn’t a last resort, it’s a first resort.
In my opinion, praying for someone is a high honor. Saying their name before God and asking Him to protect them or provide for them in their need is important.
Who do you know that may not have anyone praying for them? In addition to your regular prayers, add them to your list. If you have a perspective to see their need — even if you are wrong about that — if you are moved to pray for them, do it!
This doesn’t mean you won’t ever take other action on behalf of that person or others. But, I believe that in the praying not only are you interceding for them, God is using your responsiveness to make you more aware of the needs of others. Who knows? He may be growing something inside of you that is an angle that He would like you to pursue.
Sometimes it starts with seeing a need.
prayerpointsbyliz 
Liz, I so look forward to reading your messages. I appreciate your humility and honesty. Your message today really spoke to me. I pray often, and agree, that prayer is the first thing we can and should do, not the last or only thing. But one of your comments really got me thinking. I pray in general for groups of people that I don’t know in certain types of situations or crises. I’ve never thought about praying for people that don’t have anyone praying for them. I started today! Thank you!cmk
“To escape criticism, do nothing,say nothing, be nothing.” — Elbert Hubbard
Hi Cathy! It’s so great to hear from you! I think it is my station in life that gets me thinking about this. I think about the faithful prayer warriors who are homebound or “appear” to not be as productive as before. But some have a mighty full prayer life. It’s my goal.
Thank you for sharing about important stuff in life. Totally agree with you. Prayer is essential and should be our first response to needs and situations. I am retraining myself. I am a retired nurse and when I see my grandchildren sick, or something is going on with them. I go into evaluation mode, which is not bad, but I need to come before our Lord and give Him the situation first and ask for guidance. Our Heavenly Father has given us an amazing tool for help us navigate this life on earth until we go home. God bless and keep you and your family.
‘Sometimes it starts with seeing a need.’ This comment is in response to that writing.