By Dean Collins
I was talking with a business leader recently who described a situation in which someone was spreading false information to various people inside and outside his business. I remember times throughout my career when malicious gossip was spread about businesses and nonprofit organizations with which I was associated. Sadly, the gossip was not only untrue but also spread anonymously. This created a challenge because there was no way to stop someone with malicious intentions from trying to do harm. These kinds of situations happen daily through social media, text messages, and conversations in families, businesses, churches, and local, state, and national politics.
Often, the motive behind spreading gossip is to harm another person or organization. Sometimes it is motivated by revenge or competition. Regardless of the motivation, this is clearly a behavior in which followers of Christ must not participate.
As I talked with my friend, I offered a few strategies to help him get ahead of the issue, including continuing to speak the truth inside and outside the business to correct the false stories that were spreading. I also shared that one of the most important things he could do was gather a dedicated group of people to pray for God to intervene and protect the business from harm.
As followers of Christ, we sometimes forget how important prayer is in accomplishing the missions God has given us. In Romans 15:30–33, we find an example of how Paul enlisted his community to pray specifically on his behalf. He called them to do battle for him through their prayers:
“I urge you, my dear family, through our Lord Jesus the Messiah and through the love of the spirit: fight the battle for me in your prayers to God on my behalf, so that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judaea, and so that my service for Jerusalem may be welcomed gladly by God’s people. If this happens, I will come to you in joy, through the will of God, and be refreshed by being with you. May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.”
Paul gives us a good model for intercessory prayer on behalf of others in need.
1. We pray through Jesus and in the love of the Spirit.
Paul encouraged the saints to pray through Jesus and through the love of the Spirit. We are not simply throwing words into the air, hoping someone hears them. We pray in the name of Jesus and with the help of the Holy Spirit. And our motivation is love.
2. We fight battles on behalf of others through prayer.
Paul’s words were clear: “Fight the battle for me in your prayers to God on my behalf.” We are not called to fight against other people but to remember that the spiritual realm is the true battleground. Paul put it this way in Ephesians 6: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
3. We pray for God to rescue those for whom we intercede.
Paul asked the believers in Rome to pray for his rescue, and his prayer was answered, though not in the way we might have imagined. Acts 21 and 22 describe the events Paul was referring to in his request. Ultimately, he was rescued from those who opposed him in Judea, but not before he was arrested and beaten. Roman soldiers and officials eventually protected him from those who hated his message and sought to harm him.
God does answer prayer, and He does rescue us, but His rescue may not look exactly as we desire. He may be working in us, for us, and for His kingdom in ways we cannot comprehend.
I hate what my friend is going through in his business, but I am determined to pray for his rescue and ask God to fight the battle he cannot fight alone. I imagine there is someone in your circle who needs you to pray for God’s intervention. If so, now is the time. Paul helps us understand how to pray.
Father, thank You for the practical and powerful examples we find in Scripture, especially those that teach us how to pray for others. Today, we bring those we love before You and ask You to do battle on their behalf. We ask that You would remove their hardships and give them the strength to endure until that day comes. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Romans 15:30–33 NTFE
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