Bible Question: When a christian prays on behalf of someone else, who benefits most, the one being prayed for, or the one praying? |
Bible Answer: Three things: 1) I think that when someone engages in conversation with God they are blessed by God, God is Blessed by them, those who they pray for are blessed by God, and God is blessed by being a blessing to them. So...if you want to go by the tally system it is God who is the most blessed in prayer. 2) I truly believe in the power of praying the word of God recorded in Scripture. There is great power in using God's word for healing, strength, comfort, etc. BUT- I think that prayer is more spiritual that physical, meaning that it is not necessarily the words spoken, but the heart that it comes from- the faith that it comes from. Even if someone doesn't speak a single word, when they meditate or internally pray God's word, they are praying words of power. Even the HS tells God what is in our heart if it is not able to be communicated with words. 3) As far as this whole conversation goes, it truly depends on one's worldview and where they are from. In the Western part of the world we are so naturalistic and scientifically enlightened that we miss out on a lot of the spiritual realities and powers of prayer. Those cultures which are non-western have greater insights into prayer, and their advice should be taken well. ischus |