READ: EPHESIANS 6:18-20; 1 TIMOTHY 2:1-4; JAMES 5:13-16

One day, I heard a beautician chatting to her colleague as I was selecting a nail polish. She said, “I’m trying to stay strong, but when I’m alone, my husband’s illness overwhelms me.” My heart lurched. Sadness welled up inside, and immediately I knew I needed to pray for both this woman and her husband.

Not long after, I overheard a snippet of conversation on the train, from a commuter whose daughter was terminally ill. Again, the thought stirred inside, “I need to pray.”

Does this happen to you? I often find myself feeling called to pray for someone’s needs. I know that some Christians excel at assisting people in practical ways, but my role tends to be different. Maybe, like me, you are quiet and wonder how you can reach out to people. Becoming a prayer warrior is an amazing way of doing this. You don’t need to shout about it; no one ever needs to know but you and God (Matthew 6:5-6). It makes a difference even if you never find out the results of your requests. And it may not be in the way you expect.

Every day there are people who are facing challenges, who feel helpless, and who, for whatever reason, can’t pray. Either they haven’t received the precious gift of faith, or they are too exhausted or ill. As Christians, when we encounter people who are hurting, we have the opportunity to do something without even saying a word. The world we live in is broken, but Jesus has come to heal and save.

Whenever I hear about a tragic situation, I’m reminded how much God loves us all. He loves us so much that even when people are suffering, and have neither the strength nor the faith to pray, He sends believers to hear their pleas and intercede on their behalf. God sees us when we’re hurting, He cares, and He responds. • Cindy Lee

• Psalm 145:9 says, “The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.” God wants all people to know Him through trusting in Jesus, and He invites us to bring Him all our concerns and requests (1 Timothy 2:4; 1 Peter 5:7). Once we know Jesus, we have the Holy Spirit, who guides us and helps us pray. When we notice an opportunity to intercede—or pray for—a person or situation, it’s okay if we’re not sure what exactly to pray for. We can simply ask God to help, or we can pray a prayer from the Bible, such as Numbers 6:24-26 or Ephesians 3:14-21. Who could you pray for today? Consider taking a moment to pray for them now.

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16b (NIV)