Praying for You

I've decided in recent weeks that it's more important for me to pray for others than to pray for my self. Sometimes all we ever think about is our selfish desires- me, me, me.
It's all the world illustrates to us, today. If we don't get our way, we fight until we do.. no matter who or what we step on or stab in the back to get there.

My big sister told me something that I'll always remember.. not just because she said "always remember that" haha.. She said: "Be friends with people who celebrate you, not tolerate you."

This brings me to my first point- how many friends do you have that don't pray for you, they push you down into the dirt so that they can use you to get to where they're going? Or maybe you're the friend doing all that pushing around? Are you using your friends? Are they using you? Better yet- do you have friends that celebrate you? When I say CELEBRATE, I'm talking about encouraging relationships that build you up every day in your walk with God and in life. Are your friends dragging your down or are they helping you be the best you can be and they're happy to be your friend!?

When you have that, it's a lot easier to pray for others than yourself. Though, it's necessary to pray for your enemies and those who persecute you, by nature it's easier to love people who love you back.

My next point is this.. I've come to the conclusion that praying for my dearest friends, my acquaintances, my loved ones.. and my enemies, friends who have hurt me, used me or left me in the dirt to clean up their messes... is entirely too important to give up. Don't ever stop praying for others, no matter what.

Prayer is a vital communication between you and your Maker. It's a huge faith builder, too. Don't you feel closer to God when you're praying?
Plus, what's a pretty tangible way of reaching out to others without trying to bring personal gratification to yourself... pray for them. No one has to know you're doing it, no one needs to. It's simply your way of thanking God for placing people in your life that you can be a blessing to and show God's love to.

Philippians chapter 1 is my favorite when it comes to praying for others. Check it out.. this is my prayer for you today and always:

Philippians 1:3-11

3I thank my God every time I remember you. 4In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
7It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. 8God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.