Christ Memorial Church

Like a Tree

#62

How do you pray for a friend?

“I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul” (3 John 2).

 John prays for God to bless his friend, Gaius, in three ways.  His example provides guidance for us as we pray for our friends. 

First, when you pray for a friend, ask God to make things go well for your friend.  “I pray that all may go well with you…”

Life is filled with problems and setbacks, but Christians can still sing, “It is well with my soul.”  Why?  Because, as the apostle Paul writes, “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Christians trust in a sovereign God.  We believe that God is on His throne and not a hair can fall from our head without our Father’s will.  John Wesley is reported to have said, “I am immortal until God calls me home.”

To live on the solid foundation of God’s sovereign care brings great assurance and comfort.  Things may not be going “well” in terms of your circumstances, but God is nonetheless working everything out for your good.  You may be out of work.  Your son or daughter may be sick.  Your health may be deteriorating.   Or you may be depressed.  But when you feed off the Scriptural promises of God’s sovereign protection and care, you will soon discover fresh strength for fresh trials.

The other day I prayed with a woman on the one year anniversary of her husband’s death.  They had been married for over sixty years and were deeply in love.  I asked her how she was doing, and she said that every now and then she breaks down, but on the whole, “I am doing fine.”  Friends take her out to lunch.  People come by and visit.  And her family stays in close contact.  She believes that God is making all things go well in her life, even in her loss and pain.

Ask God to make things go well for your friend.

Second, when you pray for a friend, ask God to give them good health.  “I pray that…you may be in good health…”

Sometimes God will answer this prayer, and sometimes he won’t, at least not in ways we think God should.

Some years ago a Christian man shared with me the story of his wife’s declining health and eventual death.  How he loved her and how he missed her!  He said he prayed and prayed for God to heal her, but then she died. I mentioned that we can thank God that her suffering is over and that she is now with Jesus. 

About a year or so later we ran into each other.  He recognized me immediately and said, “Remember when you told me that my wife was safe in Jesus’ arms?”  I told him that I did.  “Well” he replied, “ever since that day I have been thinking that maybe God did answer my prayers for her healing after all.  My wife is at peace with her Lord and all of her suffering is over.  And though I wanted my wife to live, I know that she is in a place where there is no suffering.”

What a faith-filled perspective.  He didn’t arrive at it overnight, but God did open his eyes to see his prayers for healing in a whole new way.

Ask God to give your friend good health.

Third, when you pray for a friend, ask God to make their soul strong.  “I pray that all may go well with you…just as it is well with your soul.”

This is the greatest prayer – after praying for their salvation – that you can pray for friend.  How we need strong souls!

• “May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

• “For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (1 Peter 2:25).

• “To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul” (Psalm 25:1).

• “For great is your steadfast love towards me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol” (Psalm 86:13).

A strong soul is prepared for any season of life.  The other night the wind was blowing hard.  As I looked out my bedroom window, I noticed that our tall pine trees were barely moving.  They stood strong and still in the gusty wind because their roots were deep and because they were standing close together.

This is a picture of soul-strength.  When you send your roots deep into Christ and into Christian community, your soul will be strong enough to withstand the storms of life. 

Ask God to give your friend a strong soul.

So how do you pray for a friend?  “I pray that all may go will with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul.

Until next week,

Pastor Mike