WORTHY OF YOUR PRAYERS 

            "Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers" (Ephesians 1:15, 16). There are so many people and various circumstances that are worthy recipients to be the subjects of what you pray for. You should certainly be praying for the lost as the Apostle Paul did, "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved" (Romans 10:1). Your prayer will not save them, but you can pray that the Holy Spirit will use His Word and bring people into their lives that will have a positive influence on them. James encouraged us to pray for the sick in his Epistle: "Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. -- Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him. -- And the prayer of faith shall save the sick" (James 5:13-15). We are also commanded to pray for all men, including our leaders. "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty" (1 Timothy 2:1, 2). We should not have to be reminded to pray for the bereaved or others who are dealing with difficult problems in their lives.

            Therefore, you should be praying for everyone, but our text reveals some who are especially worthy of your prayers. Paul assured the church at Ephesus that he was thankful for them and praying for them ever since he had heard of their "faith in the Lord Jesus" and their "love unto all the saints". I am sure there have been many in your life that you are thankful for because of how their faith in the Lord Jesus has led them to prove their love for you and for many other saints as well. You need to be thankful and praying for each one of them!

            The Lord has provided some wonderful men and women in your life that He has used to be a special spiritual blessing to you. You need to thank God for them, and you need to let them know how thankful you are for the blessing they have been to you. Pastors and Sunday School teachers spend a lot of their time studying and preparing to share God's Word with you. This is true whether they are teaching the Beginner Sunday School class or the Older Adult class. They are serving because of their faith in the Lord that has created in them a love for Him and His people. Thank them for what they mean to you! As I am typing this devotional, my mind has gone back to many who have gone on to be with the Lord that I am still thankful for.  

            You should not cease to pray for everyone who has faith in the Lord and love for His saints that they will not become discouraged in their labor for the Lord. Peter and John were beaten by the Jewish leaders and threatened to never speak again in the name of Jesus. When they shared this news with the church, the people prayed for them. They did not pray for the Lord to destroy their enemies, or to make them stop mistreating them. They prayed that they would be bold as they continued to preach the Word! "And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word" (Acts 4:29).

            They are worthy of you praying that all their efforts will be received by others and blessed by the Lord. They may be discouraged at times so you need to continually encourage them. This was Paul's request to those in Rome. "Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;  That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints" (15:30, 31).

            Those who have faith in the Lord Jesus that has caused them to love all His saints need your prayers. In like manner, you can be one who is worthy to receive the prayers of others.