This morning I was lamenting how easily I forget or neglect to pray for people.

When you pray specifically for others, and their needs, it begins to make sense why Jesus prayed for hours at a time. Even two or three hours is not enough to cover everyone who needs prayer. But they need it. Jesus prayed specifically that his disciples might stand. Luke 22:31,32:

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

After his mighty travails on earth, he was made to be a high priest so that he could intercede on our behalf. Hebrews 5:5-7:

So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

In all of his prayers, including his agony over the cross, Jesus was respectful in his dialog to the Father and feared Him.

Let’s digress for a quick moment. Why would Jesus have reason to fear his Father? I John 3:5:

And ye know that he [Jesus] was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

Jesus never sinned. Paul wrote that because of this he was made to be sin for us (II Corinthians 5:21). If Jesus never did wrong, why should he fear God? On that final night, Jesus used “Abba” while praying (Mark 14:36). That is similar to saying “Daddy,” and is quite a model. I’ll leave you to think through how both fear and adoration fit together.

To return to the original purpose for this post, as I lamented my inability to remember everyone who needs prayer, Isaiah 49:16 came to mind. Let’s quote verses 14 and 15 also:

But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.

Zion is the heritage of the church. We are never forgotten. Our names are always before our God, and Jesus (who is one with Him) is our priest and intercessor. God takes up the slack in our weakness. Let us serve Him joyfully.