When someone we know is hurting or struggling, one of the greatest privileges we have as believers is to go with that person before the throne of God and intercede on their behalf and pray with them. Because Christ Himself intercedes for us (Rom. 8:34), we are encouraged to imitate Him and walk in obedience to God’s Word. But where do we start? Sometimes our own fears can cause us to stumble in this sacred opportunity. But Scripture offers us wisdom to guide our prayers for those facing hardship.
Look Up
King David was in great distress on more than one occasion in his life. During such a season of anxiety, fear, and running for his life, his friend Jonathan met with him: “David was in the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh. And Jonathan, Saul’s son, rose and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God” (1 Sam. 23:15–16). In the middle of a crisis in the dark setting of a forest, Jonathan took the initiative to go to David and counsel him to look to God for his strength. We know the effectiveness of this time together because it became the foundational principle of David’s psalms. We hear this beautiful reality in Psalm 3:3:
But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,
my glory, and the lifter of my head.
A person in crisis or who is hurting is often in need of a tangible intercessor, someone willing to lift their head while they look up to pray. This is our starting point in praying with someone in a crisis: We meet them in the middle of their turmoil and strengthen them in the Lord. But we can’t stop there. When someone is entangled in the messiness of life, the last thing they need is to do a deep dive into their own heart to untangle it. For,
The heart is deceitful above all things,
and desperately sick;
who can understand it? (Jer. 17:9)
It takes an upward and outward focus on the One who is far greater and more powerful than we are to help. Our God is above all, knows all, and reigns over all. He cares for us in every way and is the only One great enough to carry and sort through everything we face. Therefore, we can run to Him, our heavenly Father, with our cares, trusting in His compassion, mercy, patience, kindness, gentleness—and even His justice. This is where many believers today wrestle to think rightly about God, much less enter into prayer to Him authentically. Our prayers are to help those in distress look up to the one true living God as their “Abba, Father” (Rom. 8:15). He tells us,
I will be a father to you,
and you shall be sons and daughters to me,
says the Lord Almighty. (2 Cor. 6:18)
Remember
After lifting the weary soul toward heaven and away from self, as intercessors, we must help them recall what our heavenly Father has faithfully done for them. There is nothing more powerful than recounting the faithfulness of God Almighty toward His fainthearted children. He has never failed; they can trust Him. Unlike our earthly fathers, He has shown His steadfast love both tenderly and fiercely. He is a father they can trust.
Let’s be like Asaph to our friend in need:
I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your wonders of old. (Ps. 77:11–12)
Remembering what God has done in the past gives us hope for what He has promised to do now and in the future. Israel was frequently called to remember what the Lord had said or done for them. In fact, they were commanded to remember and to tell generation after generation. Remembering God’s good order and deeds builds faith, especially when we are weary.
Abound in Hope
Prayers that look up and remember have the power to lead your friend to a harbor of hope. God promises we will never be put to shame in our hope in Him and His promises toward us (Rom. 5:5). It’s good to assist them in keeping their eyes fixed on Him, not a desired outcome.
Praying God’s Word is crucial for the heart that is overwhelmed, alone, trapped, fearful, or hopeless. Speaking God’s truth, such as promises of His constant presence, will offer encouragement and strength to help them persevere in their struggle. Remind them that hope anchored in God will never leave them wanting.
For he satisfies the longing soul,
and the hungry soul he fills with good things. (Ps. 107:9)
Now you must trust God to satisfy your friend’s soul.
If you’ve been praying with someone who is suffering in this life and is not a believer, you have just done the work of a plowshare. It is time to drop those seeds of the gospel ever so gently into the soil of the broken heart before you. The words of hope found in the gospel are what every grieving, confused, sin-laden, bruised, and battered heart needs to hear. The truth that Jesus Christ has come to call them out of the darkness of unbelief into His marvelous light is where our hope is grounded (1 Peter 1:18). As Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Trust God to water that seed.
Ligonier Ministries