In the beginning of this journal, I hope to keep a record of my prayer requests and how my prayers are answered. I am especially concerned today about the problems Jean is having in her marriage. I am Jean’s listener. Help me have the right words to comfort her, Lord. Guide me as I minister to Jean.

Tuesday: Praise Your name for answering my prayer for Dot. When I asked for Dot’s healing rather than courage to deal with her illness, I did not realize You would answer with such a miracle! I have three friends seriously ill and this brings me to my knees as I pray for Your hand to be upon them. I pray that each will feel Your presence and that You will send healing or grace to bear these difficult times. I have not because I ask not!

Wednesday: Since my firstborn was also a son, I agonize with Mary over the death of her son several months ago. Only Your soothing Spirit will help Mary bear this tragic loss. Even though I am far away, I know my prayers for Mary and her family will help draw them closer to You. An older friend told me she keeps people with death losses on her prayer list for two years. Help me be consistent in bringing Mary and her needs before You.

Thursday: In praying yesterday, my own son’s need came to my mind. Always on my heart, I lift his name up to You, Lord. He is Yours but has strayed from your precepts in his attitude and outlook on life. Touch his heart and cause him to dedicate his life anew to living in the center of Your will.

Friday: Yesterday, I really wanted to make an unkind remark to a neighbor, but God, I know You held my tongue! How can I expect Christian values where there is no foundation in Christ? I know these neighbors are without the peace Your salvation brings. I pray for their acceptance of You and for the courage to witness to them in deed and word.

As we live our lives for Christ, there are certain qualities which should be visible. If our prayer lives are active, these qualities will develop as we intercede for others.

Caring about others and their needs is one quality that will emerge as a result of intercessory prayer. As God guides us to minister, we become more sensitive to needs. How much we care for others will be reflected in our prayers.

God’s timing is perfect when we look for answers to our prayers. While we wait upon Him, we must be consistent. Many times our petitions for comfort or healing benefit others but also teach us patience and faithfulness. We need these qualities in our lives! We need to be doing what we say we believe.

As we pray for the lost, for mission endeavors and for our missionaries we must be informed. We must pray specifically and for people by name. Only then will we begin to pray more effectively.

Caring about others, being consistent in our prayers and being informed are three qualities God wants to see in our lives. When our eyes are opened to others’ needs, we too will hear what God said to Jeremiah, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do no know” (Jeremiah 33:3).