Why do we pray for others?

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Opal0427

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Doesn’t God already do good things without us?
He’s our good Father and already knows what we need. So, where does praying for others come in?

I always feel like I’m just asking him to do whatever he was already going to do. Which makes me sad, because its asking please help, and hearing not now over again.

I have had prayers answered. And I know all things work for good. And people have free will. And the world is fallen and all goodness we enjoy is by his grace.

I just don’t really understand how asking God for things like curing people of cancer or ending abortion does anything except make me sad most of the time.

And then, do we have a responsibility to pray for every sad thing we see or God wont help? That’s heavy. I’d be making myself sad every minute praying for every sin and fear I encounter. Which sounds really unhealthy to even try.

What am I missing???
 
Opal0427 said:
always feel like I’m just asking him to do whatever he was already going to do.
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He knows it but we don’t. And it pleases God to receive our prayers and gratitude.
‘and the smoke of the incense rose with the prayers of the saints from the hand of the angel before God.’ Rev 8:4
 
He really wants our active participation in the plan of Salvation.
When you feel sadness for someone else’s pain offer up your pain to Jesus as St. Paul offered his. He will use your pain as a more perfect petition to the Father.
(Collosians 1:24)
For now I rejoice in my passion on your behalf, and I complete in my flesh the things that are lacking in the Passion of Christ, for the sake of his body, which is the Church.

Also
(Corinthians 1:11) And you are assisting, with your prayers for us, so that from many persons, by that which is a gift in us, thanks may be given through many persons, because of us.

Or this
(Ephesians 6:18) Through every kind of prayer and supplication, pray at all times in spirit, and so be vigilant with every kind of earnest supplication, for all the saints,
6:19 and also for me, so that words may be given to me, as I open my mouth with faith to make known the mystery of the Gospel,
6:20 in such a manner that I may dare to speak exactly as I ought to speak. For I act as an ambassador in chains for the Gospel.

And there are many many more where we are exhorted to pray for one another.
If we see something and we can offer a prayer how is that bad, on the contrary it is an opportunity GOD is giving us to show “Love” the most important Commandment.
Peace!
 
We are here for two things.
First to give glory and to praise God in all that we say and do.
Second to love and to serve our brothers and sisters.
 
I think of prayers for others as a blessing to us. Our prayers are not about changing God’s will. They are to better our hearts and minds. I have heard many priests say that the impulse to pray is the grace of God wanting us to grow closer to him. I know prayer has the power to change my mind or lead me to a new direction. If I pray for something that is unchanging, it helps me find peace. If I pray for something that is superficial, I grow to realize it is not needed. If I pray for others, it deepens my compassion. Even prayer for someone who dies is powerful. I prayed and prayed for a little girl with cancer, but she died. I had to realize that the best prayer would have been to pray for her soul and for her suffering to end, but it only ended by her death. There was never any guarantee that her body would miraculously heal. That is tough to cope with, but more prayer directed with the right intentions brings wisdom and joy.
 
Because Scripture tells us to “pray one for another”.

We pray, not because it changes God, but because it changes US.

Fr Dubay wrote “The Prayer Primer” and “Deep Conversion, Deep Prayer”. Those books changed my prayer life forever.
 
If all Jesus had to do was incarnate and die, then he could have gotten it over by allowing himself to be included in the Massacre of the Innocents.

But instead, he stuck around for 33 years, and spent the last three in public ministry. So, what did he talk about that was important?

Much of the time, he was talking about “The Kingdom of God is like…”

The Kingdom of God is a community.

So, in a healthy community, what does an active member of that community do? They interest themselves in the welfare of those around them. They don’t just say, “Hey, I bet that person will figure it out soon enough…” but they help. If they can’t help with words, or they can’t help with actions, they can at least help those around them with prayer.

So, we have the seven Corporal Works of Mercy–
  • To feed the hungry.
  • To give water to the thirsty.
  • To clothe the naked.
  • To shelter the homeless.
  • To visit the sick.
  • To visit the imprisoned, or ransom the captive.
  • To bury the dead.
but we also have the spiritual works of mercy–
  • To instruct the ignorant.
  • To counsel the doubtful.
  • To admonish sinners.
  • To bear wrongs patiently.
  • To forgive offences willingly.
  • To comfort the afflicted.
  • To pray for the living and the dead.
So, even if you’re not in a situation where you can go visit the imprisoned, or comfort sad people, or admonish sinners, or instruct the ignorant, you can at least pray for the living and the dead.
 
Let’s not forget the souls who are in purgatory.
We need to pray for them to help them get to heaven. 🙏🙏🙏
 
I never considered pain I feel prayi for others as something to offer as well. Even that can be redemptive. I was so focused on stopping it, I never thought of that. Thank you.
 
Yes. I think you’ve hit the nail on the head for me. I was caught between feeling this kind of prayer was an attempt to change Gods will amd the fact that God obviously knows better than me and loves these people. Praying to change Gods will was making me feel like God is flawed in a way and that couldn’t sit right.

I’ll remember that prayer is for our benefit. Kind of like when I tell God what I’m feeling. He obviously knows, but wants to hear from me.
Sometimes we get to be catalysts in Gods plan as well which is awesome. Reminds me of back when dads would let kids sit on their laps and “drive” the car. It was so awesome for the kid, but Dad was always the one in control.

This is very comforting to me. We pray for others to orient ourselves better and to be a part of his work for our family. It’s not actually ours to drive! But participating is really great!!
 
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I think this falls into the realm of free will and predestination. Gods actions are certainly His own power but remember you are a part of his plan. Before you were born he knew which of your prayers he would answer and when.

Your prayer in free will was considered before God said let there be light. His answer was also known to Him before time existed. Your prayer is inevitable. It’s value is measured before you were born.

Ultimately when you pray genuinely you tap into who you are in Gods eyes and he gives to you freely. God can do everything without you, He decided in His love to do everything in cooperation with you. So pray.
 
Opal0427 said:
Yes. I think you’ve hit the nail on the head for me. I was caught between feeling this kind of prayer was an attempt to change Gods will amd the fact that God obviously knows better than me and loves these people. Praying to change Gods will was making me feel like God is flawed in a way and that couldn’t sit right.

I’ll remember that prayer is for our benefit. Kind of like when I tell God what I’m feeling. He obviously knows, but wants to hear from me.
Sometimes we get to be catalysts in Gods plan as well which is awesome. Reminds me of back when dads would let kids sit on their laps and “drive” the car. It was so awesome for the kid, but Dad was always the one in control.

This is very comforting to me. We pray for others to orient ourselves better and to be a part of his work for our family. It’s not actually ours to drive! But participating is really great!!
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Exactly. Father Mike said something similar once regarding a father wanting his kids to help but knowing he can still do it without them, maybe even faster and better, but he desires the participation and knows it helps a child’s development and feeling of intimacy.
 
Opal0427 said:
Doesn’t God already do good things without us?
He’s our good Father and already knows what we need. So, where does praying for others come in?

I always feel like I’m just asking him to do whatever he was already going to do. Which makes me sad, because its asking please help, and hearing not now over again.

I have had prayers answered. And I know all things work for good. And people have free will. And the world is fallen and all goodness we enjoy is by his grace.

I just don’t really understand how asking God for things like curing people of cancer or ending abortion does anything except make me sad most of the time.
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Why would it make you mad?
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Opal0427:
And then, do we have a responsibility to pray for every sad thing we see or God wont help? That’s heavy. I’d be making myself sad every minute praying for every sin and fear I encounter. Which sounds really unhealthy to even try.

What am I missing???
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Jesus was asked, what is the greatest commandment. Jesus said

It’s all about love of God with everything you have, and love of neighbor as yourself

praying for the benefit of others is also loving God. One could add, if one won’t pray for others because they don’t / can’t / won’t love that son of a gun, then it’s pretty hard to say they love God with everything they have. In effect, they blow both commandments.
 
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Opal0427 said:
What am I missing???
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One thing you are missing @Opal0427 , is that God asks us to pray for others .

Our prayer is , in the mystery which is God , one of the means by which God meets the needs of others .

It’s God’s idea . God’s will is that our prayer be part of His way of encountering others.

His Word is clear . “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” (Eph 6:18)

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people.” (1 Tim 2:1).

“Brothers and sisters, pray for us.” (1 Thess 5:25)

“Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.” (Hebrews 13:18-19).

“I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.” ( Philippians 1:19)

But , we are not to let things get us down , for God tells us “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” ( Philippians 4:6)
 
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