Seniors of faith who long to deepen their prayer lives may want to consider adding prayers for other people to their regular chats with God. By praying for others, you can fulfill the law of Christ by carrying each other's burdens (Galatians 6:2). Time spent in prayer for others can also help you understand their point of view and needs, making it easier to show them God's love.
Your daily prayers likely include your loved ones and friends, especially if they're going through difficult times. However, the Bible urges Christians to pray for all people, including government leaders and the unsaved (1 Timothy 2:1-4).
It's common to hear prayer lists including people in authoritative positions, missionaries, the persecuted church and individuals who are sick. There are many others you may wish to expand your list with, including:
During emergencies and accidents, first responders, ambulance crews, police officers and firefighters rush into dangerous situations to save lives. These brave men and women often choose their professions because of their deep desire to help others. Keep in mind, however, that they witness tremendous suffering, death and grief through their work.
Jonathon Hickory is a police officer who wrote the autobiographical novel that became the movie Break Every Chain. He openly shares how devastating the stress and pain can become to individuals in service and their families and how much they need prayers and support.
Individuals in the medical profession are a vital part of the teams that take care of our residents in the assisted living communities under the Bethesda Senior Living Communities umbrella. It's important to remember how much stress and pressure is on these individuals and to pray for your doctors and nurses, as well as the caregivers and staff who support you each day.
Whether they're actors, singers or sports stars, celebrities have incredible influence over their fans and the world around them. Although they aren't in a political office or leadership role, they're in a unique position to change the thoughts of others for good or bad.
Believers need to recognize celebrities' power. They should pray for them to make good choices that provide positive role models for the children and adults who admire them and seek to imitate their actions and lives.
Scientists have incredible power to influence and change the world. They can discover the danger of using a certain chemical or medication over time, find a cure for a disease or design new technologies, such as AI and robotic inventions, that can help or hurt others. Instead of simply watching technology grow and change, you can pray for God to give researchers wisdom and insight so their creations will be useful and good.
Most of your friends and peers around the community have a story about a favorite teacher who had a huge impact on their lives when they were children. Teachers can inspire hope and strength in kids, pushing them to become better people and giving them the tools to succeed in life.
You can pray for teachers to have love, patience and wisdom as they interact with the children in their care. You can also pray for God to give wisdom to the lawmakers who set education policies and the writers of the curriculums that children read and memorize each day.
Today's children are tomorrow's adults. They'll eventually inherit this world, and they'll shape it based on what they're currently experiencing and learning. As you pray, add the children in the schools, churches and homes around you to your petitions. Ask God to reveal himself to this generation of youth so they may know his love, compassion and guidance.
Many people could be considered your neighbors beyond just those who live next to you. Individuals you meet on the street, workers in your favorite store and people who frustrate or hurt you could all be considered your neighbor.
Jesus tells us there's no greater command than to love God and love your neighbors (Mark 12:30-31). He also calls for believers to pray for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:44). Following his command to forgive and pray for others can be hard, but it can also open your hearts to receive his love and allows him to change and shape you into his image.
For additional suggestions about prayer and the ways you can improve your quiet times with God, talk with your community's chaplain, and explore inspirational books in your local library. Also, ask God to reveal who he wants you to add to your list and if there are ways he can use you to answer some of your prayers.
