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Connecting through Prayer: Prayer Connects Us with Others

Through prayer we connect with others, whether through intercessionfor people we do not even know or praying directly with a person.

Prayeralso connects us with each other. Through prayer we connect with otherstoo, whether through intercession for people we do not even know, orpraying directly with a person.

Acts 2:42 tells us thatbelievers in the Early Church “devoted themselves to the apostles’teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and toprayer.” The writer adds, “Every day they continued to meet together inthe temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate togetherwith glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor ofall the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who werebeing saved” (verses 46,47).

Something wonderful happens whenthe body of Christ comes together and prays together, whetherpersonally, in groups, or around the altar. May we not lose that in ourchurches today! Something wonderful can also happen when we pray withpeople we have just met. The unique thing about prayer is that itprovides a divinely ordained relational dynamic unlike any other modeof human interaction. When we pray for another person, directly orindirectly, we purposefully enter a sphere of relationship with thatperson that requires of us a heightened level of concern or compassionfor that person. There is a connectedness that happens when we pray forone another that dissolves barriers and binds us together in godlylove.

A few years ago, my wife Jan and I did door-to-doorvisitation through part of our neighborhood to get to know ourneighbors, to see if they had a church home, and to offer prayer. Inevery instance when we offered to pray for someone, no one refused. Ina world where many people are reluctant to allow others inside their“bubble,” prayer provides an acceptable means of interaction that“pops” the bubble and provides opportunity for acceptance, relationshipbuilding, restoration, and even salvation to take place. Non-Christianshave no similar relational dynamic in their lives. The world offers nosubstitute for it relationally or spiritually. Prayer is a unique,God-given connector that forms bonds and brings about life-transformingchange in lives for time and eternity.

Think about it:Multiplied thousands of total strangers from across the country call a1-800-4-PRAYER prayer line each week to ask total strangers to praywith them because they are hurting physically, emotionally, orspiritually. They call because they believe prayer is helpful; butprayer is also a powerful, universal connector. Prayer opens doors.Prayer is an awesome avenue for ministry. That’s why we are instructedto “pray for each other” (James 5:16).

The dynamic relationalconnectivity of prayer makes prayer a powerful tool for evangelism aswell. Though some people might be reluctant to mention a need for whichthey need prayer, most people will respond positively to an offer suchas, “Before we go our way, would you mind if we have a word of prayertogether?” It is then that the Holy Spirit can help direct our thoughtsand words as we pray that something may be touched deeply within theheart of the other person. Such an opportunity should never be used to“preach-pray,” attempting to exhort the person along a certain line,but to sincerely seek the direction of the Holy Spirit in our prayerand let Him do His work in their heart.

While tracts andother gospel literature or witnessing programs might be rebuffed, anoffer to pray is often accepted and will linger long in the heart andmind of the recipient. God’s loving, compassionate, caring nature isconveyed to a person through sincere prayer. Afterward, we should praythat God will send others to water and tend the seed that has beenplanted.

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