Praying for Friends

Posted by Meg | 0 comments

Have you ever considered praying for friends?  Though it’s important, I’m not talking about the act of praying for your friends’ prayer requests. I’m talking about praying for actual friends to come into your life.

It’s hard to believe, but it’s true: God hears our every prayer. Even the little, seemingly insignificant ones. The insignificant to us is always significant to Him. Why? Because we are His. Because we are His children, He knows our every need.

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:26)

One of the fundamental needs of people everywhere is friendship….intentional and regular fellowship. Though many might dispute this, I firmly believe it to be true. We shouldn’t go through life alone.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

About three years ago, I went through a very lonely and isolated span of months. Our two children were very young and not as mobile, and since we have always felt it was important to give our kids structure, I was (voluntarily) tied to the house the majority of the time due to naps and feeding schedules.

While I enjoyed the quietude for a while, it soon became a little too “comfortable.” I began to feel myself drifting from my old friendships and never initiating new ones. The biggest problem was that, at first, I was apathetic about it. I didn’t see meaningful friendships as vital and necessary. After all, I was best friends with my husband….didn’t that count?

Well, yes, it does. Friendship with one’s spouse is indeed a blessing. Yet there are things that my husband (i.e., males in general) cannot understand, comprehend or relate to. There are things that only other women can fathom. There were things I wanted to say, ideas I wanted to bounce off of someone, and things I wanted to be challenged on — but a quick look around and I slowly realized I’d almost shut everyone out.

So I began praying. That very night I prayed for a Godly, positive, strengthening friendship with a fellow female (mom and wife) to appear into my life. Though I felt silly at first, and worried it might be a “pie in the sky” request, I stuck to my plea. I continued to pray for it every day, and with time and increased loneliness, my prayers became more heartfelt (and a tad bit desperate at times).

You know what? God did answer my prayers. Funny how you don’t always realize that He does until you look backwards and see His provision from where you’re currently standing. God not only provided me with one strong friendship, but several. I am now surrounded and intermingled with a handful of Godly, Christian, same-stage-of-life wives and moms who nurture, inspire, challenge, and uplift me. A few are old friendships that I had that God grew deeper….and a few are brand new ones. The point is that He blessed me…..bountifully. He truly gave me “immeasurably more than all I (could) ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20).

What about you? Do you need to “pray for friends?”

Meg Wilson is a devoted wife to her husband, Ken, of 10 years, and mom and homeschooling teacher to her 5-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter. When she’s not writing or creating something, Meg loves to cook for, host and entertain friends and family. She also enjoys reading, the outdoors, eclectic music, yoga, and studying history. You can read all about her adventures (and misadventures) at her blog, Muses of Megret and read her product reviews at Muse Reviews.