Sending Prayers Where?

“Sending prayers your way.” I’m noticing this comment more and more, especially on Facebook and other social media. I know what the sender intends to say. At least, I sincerely hope they are not actually sending the prayers toward the person in need. If so, they should not expect an answer to their prayer. Only God answers prayer and then likely only prayer offered directly to Him. The direction of our prayer must always be God-ward, not man-ward. The Bible instructs us to “pray for one another” (James 5:16), but to address our prayer to God alone. Prior to Jesus teaching His disciples to pray, in what we call “The Lord’s Prayer” He said, “When you pray . . . pray to your Father” (Matthew 6:6). Paul modeled prayer addressed to the Lord, when he wrote, “Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord . . . (2 Corinthians 12:8). I know, some will say that I’m just a picky professor of prayer, attacking something that is no more than a word game. But prayer is a serious matter, and we will practice it best when we think and speak of it correctly. So today, I’m sending prayer TO God, FOR you, my readers.

Join me this week in remembering the following global concerns:
• Pray for the upcoming Ladies Conference, April 11-13 in Western Hungary.
• Pray for the April 10 music training for pastors in Belarus.
• Pray for Karla as she works with Bridges of Peace in Karm’iel, ministering to new Israeli immigrants as they transition to their new home.
• Pray for those who live and serve in the political tension being caused by North Korea.
• Pray for Blu and Darby as they serve with the New Day Orphanage in Zambia.