Prayer, usually, is the response to the impression of the Spirit in our hearts. It can also be a response to the impression the circumstances of other people make upon our hearts, which makes us decide we want to cause a change. I remember the testimony of a young girl who was retarded and bedridden due to juvenile arthritis. She could only move around in a wheelchair, and the only part of her body she could move was her neck, as the disease had stiffened her whole body.

 

She was taken to a miracle-service, and while in that meeting she wept and called on the Lord to help her. Some others saw her and began to pray for her too. As they interceded for her, she told the lady beside her she wanted to get up. Though her hands and legs felt heavy and painful, she managed to stand up. As others prayed for her, the lady encouraged her and said, “Don’t worry, go ahead and move your hands and legs. The Lord has healed you.”

 

Although it was difficult for her to move, she was encouraged by the faith of everyone present and took her first step. They all erupted in thanks and praise to the Lord as she took another step, and then another one, and right before their eyes she began to run around the room! That happened just because those believers around her were moved to pray for her. They weren’t moved by pity but by compassion.

 

There’s so much we can do and change in the lives of others if we’d only intercede for them. Thank God for the wonderful life you have, but there are people who are going through a lot of hurt for whom you must be moved to pray.

 

Never become callous and unfeeling, to the point that you’re not moved by the conditions of the sinners and others who are suffering around you. The Bible says of the Lord Jesus that He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities (Hebrews 4:15). Let that be your description as well. Let the plight of the poor, the sick and the downtrodden move you to intercede for them and cause a change in their lives.