Have you noticed a friend who may be struggling or going through some kind of suffering? Sometimes it is easy to not know what to do for that person. You are not sure if you should say something, do something, or what? If you are like many, this indecision means that very little happens. Your friend continues to struggle in suffering while you wonder what you should be doing.
Thankfully the Bible points us toward a few good suggestions on how to help your friend. The first suggestion is prayer. Let me explain.
Prepare Yourself Mentally to Pray for Each Other
After a lengthy section on suffering, Peter concludes with some great advice on how to help a friend who is in the midst of suffering. He writes:
7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. (1 Peter 4:7)
Peter exhorts us to be serious and watchful in our prayers. What does he mean? How does this help us with our friend who is in suffering?As you observe his or her situation, be in control of your thoughts. Seek to think like God wants you to think about his or her circumstance and view life as God views it. As you do, you can be prepared to pray an appropriate and effective prayer both for and with this person.
Prayer that Changes Things
- Seek to put yourself in the person’s shoes. Try to see the situation for their perspective.
- Start with the circumstance: what does the person want? Pray about his or her request
- What does God want? What would most honor God in this situation? Pray toward that goal as well
- What would your temptations look like? If you were in this circumstance, what are some possible temptations you would face? Fear? Worry? Anxiety? Desire for control? Vengeance? Anger? As you consider your potential response, pray for the possibilities of this person’s temptations. Your heart can inform your prayer for this person.
- What do you know to be true in this situation? As you pray, you can always be grateful for what you know to be true (i.e., God is in control; God provides grace; Jesus is with the person; Jesus loves him or her; the Spirit provides the power to honor God).
Your prayer will demonstrate to your friend that you care. In the process, your friend will receive help.
