I read this wonderful and biblical way of praying for people on Justin Taylor’s blog. It is Dana Olson’s way of praying for people and this is exactly what we need as we pray for others. You can check out his blog, which I plan to do regularly, because my flesh does not want me to pray. It means I actually need to depend on God more and more. And my sinful heart often does not want to do that. It would rather DO something else, which is so antithetical to the Gospel. But prayer makes me incredible dependent and needy upon someone far greater than me, and it is that realization that leads me closer to Him. So here is his helpful acronym to get us into the H*A*B*I*T of praying more for people:

My point with this post is to remind you of the significant power of simply praying for people. By ‘power’ I don’t mean power in the signs and wonders sense (though neither am I discounting that he is able to do amazing things). I mean it in the sense of the incredible impact and joy when we pray with people in need. This kind of prayer is often neglected: all too often we think of it as a clergyman’s duty. Ridiculous! God has given to believers the privilege of coming to his throne of grace. All believers, not just pastors. And when we bring people in need before that throne, there is mercy and grace for their need, and there is delight in the love unleashed in doing so. Praying for folks who are hurting is a very practical means of showing the love of Christ. It is in the very doing a testimony of our faith in Christ and confidence in God’s grace and help. Here is a very simple acronym I have often used to train Christians to pray for someone in need. I call it H*A*B*I*T prayer, as in “make it a habit to pray for others around you.”

H — Honor God. Begin with a simple sentence or two of praise and adoration to God for His glory. Thank him for saving you through the cross of Jesus Christ, and giving you the amazing privilege of entering his throne room to pray.

A — Ask specifically. Bring the person’s need to the throne of grace. It is critical that you listen carefully to what the person has said, so that you can pray for them specifically rather than generally. It is disappointing to pour your heart out to someone, then have them pray as if they didn’t hear a single word you said.

B — Bless. Ask God to bless them in ways other than just the specific item prayed earlier. If the person is not a Christian, pray for their spiritual life and awakening to God’s grace through Jesus Christ. If you know them well and other aspects of their life, ask God’s blessing. “Lord, I ask your blessing on Ted’s wife and children as well. Give him wisdom in his business…etc.” If you do not know them, simply ask God to pour his blessing into every aspect of life, especially their spiritual life in Jesus Christ.

I — In Jesus’ name. We come to God in prayer only because of Jesus Christ, who gave his life for us, and opened the way for us into the Holy of holies.

T — Touch as appropriate. If it is appropriate, take the person’s hand when you pray for them, or put a hand on their shoulder, whatever seems appropriate to the situation. Take care with this. We should be neither inappropriately “touchy feely” nor cold and “hands off” as if we might catch something.

More could be said on each of these. But that can be at another time. My point today is to ask you, “Do you seize on the opportunities God gives you to pray for those in need who surround you every day?” If you don’t, you are missing out on a golden opportunity to communicate with God and communicate to others the love of God.