The Joy of Intercessory Prayer

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Prayer is a powerful and wonderful way to inject gospel care and concern to the patients and colleagues that we interact with on a daily basis. It can be so sweet and encouraging to take the burdens of others before the throne of God. In fact, it is something that God wants us to do!

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayer, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for all people...This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Tim. 2:1-4

In my book “Rehab the World”, I talk about the importance and necessity of intercessory prayer in our daily clinic life if we are going to be faithful in our work. Two ideas I discuss in the book are praying for your patients in general every morning before your day begins and also praying specifically for your patients needs, fears, anxieties, and healing. This is a practice I work to be consistent in and I recently had a great example of the joy and positive benefit of incorporating intercessory prayer.

I was working with a patient to improve her mobility and stamina which had been severely limited because she had just finished a round of cancer treatments. We had had several conversations about church and the Gospel in the past and she was aware of my faith in Christ. One day she came in much more somber and anxious than normal. So, I stopped the treatment and we just chatted a bit. As tears began to well up in her eyes, she told me that she had to get another scan because the doctors thought the cancer might have returned and spread to other areas of her body. She asked at that moment if I would pray over her and specifically that the upcoming tests would come back negative. I obliged and we prayed together in a private treatment room. At the end of the PT session, I told her that I wanted a report at her next visit.

A week went by and I continued to think and pray for her. And as she came in for her next PT appointment, you could tell she was in an improved emotional state compared to the previous week. So, I asked her right away if she had the results of the tests and she told me with happy tears in her eyes the great news that the tests were, in fact, negative! We shared a joyful hug and praised the Lord together in our PT gym. God was pleased to answer that prayer in those moments.

And that is when I realized in a more tangible way the power of what Paul writes to us in 1 Tim 2:1-4. Namely, that God actually does delight in us interceding for others and offering prayers and supplications on behalf of those around us. It pleases Him! You might wonder sometimes how you can make God happy? Here it is! Pray for others. And not only does he delight in it, it is good for us to do it.

So, I want to challenge you this week to take a first step in praying for your patients or colleagues. Maybe, pick a patient to pray for or maybe pick a particular need of a patient. You don’t even have to tell them but if you hear about something going in their life, take it before the Lord. Take it into the heavenly realm and then watch what God does. Be a part of God’s plan and then discover the incredible joy, beauty, and glory of seeing your prayers answered for others. If this is an area in which you would like more guidance, I would encourage you to pick up a copy of “Rehab the World” because there are some helpful tips and ideas for you to get started. 

Jason

***Check out the new book "Rehab the World" written for Physical Therapists to encourage us in our workplace and prepare us to serve those around us. If you like, please leave a review and spread the word!!***

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