the family of God, it is as natural to pray as it is for an earthly child to ask his or her father for the things he or she needs. We are living in dangerous times; and if there was ever a time when we needed to pray, it's now. Because more can be done by prayer than anything else, prayer is our greatest weapon."
Helping Strategy
Many people ask for prayer because they have specific concerns but do not know how to pray and what language to use in approaching God. We should be ready to offer encouragement and to pray with them about their requests. Reassure them that you are delighted to share their concerns, because God knows about them. He cares and has promised to answer prayer.
1. One prayer that delights God's heart is the sinner's prayer: "God be merciful to me a sinner!" (Luke 18:13). Do not assume that because the caller has requested prayer that he or she is a Christian. Assure the individual that you are concerned and are happy to take his or her request to God. However, before doing so, you would like to ask if he or she has ever received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. If appropriate, present "Steps to Peace with God," page 11, and then the "Follow-Up Steps."
2. Just before praying for the expressed need, encourage the individual by reading these two prayer promises from the Bible:
"And all things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive" (Matthew 21:22).
"If two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven" (Matthew 18:19). (Suggest that the person write down the references for later reading.)
3. Pray the fervent prayer of faith, and then thank God for the answer.
4. Sometimes a Christian will complain that God does not seem to answer his or her prayers. Encourage such a person to continue praying in faith, being persistent like the woman in Luke 18:1–5. Also, advise being sure that the motives for the prayer are pure, according to James 4:3.
Billy Graham offers some suggestions for Christians with unanswered prayers:
"1. Prayer is for God's children.