WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN I SUDDENLY THINK OF SOMEONE?

SCRIPTURE:
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  We do not 
know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes 
for us with groans that words cannot express. 
(Romans 8:26)

MEDITATION:
Do you have an active prayer life?
Do you often pray intercessory prayers for others?
Have you ever had a time when suddenly, out of the blue, 
someone’s name comes to mind?

It could be someone you’ve recently seen, 
or it could be someone you haven’t seen for a very long time.
If you are a person with an active prayer life, then you know 
when a person comes to mind, you should pray for the individual.

But if you don’t know what is going on in their life, 
then how should you pray for others?
Should you pray for their health? Their safety? 
Their spiritual condition? Their salvation?

Paul tells us that we should “pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Does that mean we should pray every minute we are awake?
That’s not a bad idea, 
but Paul was probably implying that we should have a prayerful attitude.
When we do, 
then we will automatically pray for someone when they come to mind.
Instead of planning to pray for them later, we will pray immediately.

Paul tells us to be alert (and ready) to pray at all times.
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. (Ephesians 6:18).
That is what God’s children do for each other – we pray.

Now, back to 'how do we pray for others' 
when we are unaware of their situation.
We can pray for the Lord to be with them 
and help them with whatever situation they are in.

It is good to be specific when we pray, but this is one of those times 
when we accept the fact that God knows what is going on 
and we simply need to pray for them to feel His presence.
God has given His children the Holy Spirit 
to provide the specific needs of the ones for which we pray.
We may be curious about why they need prayer, but our responsibility 
is to pray for them and trust the Holy Spirit to ‘fill in the blanks’.

ACTION:
Do you actively and immediately pray for others when they come to mind?
If not, then start now if you are a child of the Lord.
Believers need to be confident that other believers will pray for them.
Pray especially for those in leadership positions (pastors, teachers, etc.).
When others are trying to humbly and actively serve the Lord, 
Satan will unleash more of his attacks on them.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us prayer as a venue for 
communicating with You. Thank you also for providing us with 
the Holy Spirit to assist us when we want to pray but are unsure 
of how to pray. Forgive me for the times You have brought someone 
to my mind and I have failed to pray for them, or delayed my prayers 
to a later time. Help me to change my habits and attitudes so that I will 
understand the importance of praying for others. I need to consider it a 
privilege to pray intercessory prayers. Thank You for the prayers I have 
prayed that You have answered. Thank You for hearing my heart’s cry.”