http://ichthys.com/ 
Prayer VII

Question #1:  
Hi Doc, just wanted your opinion on something

So I have a daily prayer list, for people who I decided need to be prayed for regularly. The only problem is, I didn't write down who was on there, and by the time I got the idea several people on there I forgot who they were, or even why they were added. After a while I just decided the daily list would be condensed into a single "multi-target" prayer, for whoever's on there and whatever they were added for (or any new reason they might need it). Lazy? Perhaps, but it saves me a ton of time and mental energy, and makes sure I didn't miss anyone.

I doubt God would have a problem with this, but what do you think?
Response #1:
Prayer is a very personal thing. I would never want to weigh in on someone else' approach.

A prayer list is a good thing. We should all be doing more praying than less of it . . . but there is a limit to the time we have. The more specific we are – about people and their needs – the better . . . but there is a limit to that too. Between spending ten minutes on everyone about whom we're concerned on the one hand (Matt.6:7-8), and just saying, "Lord, I pray for everyone, amen!", there is a happy median. We all have to find that balance for ourselves.

Re: "I forgot why they were added". This does happen, and there is nothing saying that we have to keep someone "on the list" forever. Again, this is a judgment call. Listen to the Spirit . . . and keep praying!
Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.
Colossians 4:2 NKJV

Pray without ceasing.
1st Thessalonians 5:17 NKJV

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men.
1st Timothy 2:1 NKJV
Here are some links on this: 
Prayer in Hebrews chapter 4
Prayer Questions I

Prayer Questions II

Prayer Questions III

Prayer Questions IV
Prayer Questions V

The Lord's prayer I

The Lord's prayer II
The Lord's prayer III
I pray for you daily – thanks for YOUR prayers!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #2:
Thanks Bob for all your support and prayers.

[omitted]

In the meantime I will continue my study and pursuit of spiritual growth, maturity and production (despite their doubt, mockery and derision). I will keep praying for their hearts to be softened to the truth and will continue to witness to them through my actions towards them. I have cried a lot over this as you know but I trust that the Lord knows better than I how to reach them and He knows I hope for their salvation despite how impossible it seems now.

In Jesus,
Response #2:
Sorry to hear that you got sucked in again – and sucker-punched again.

You've taken a lot of abuse, my friend. I wish I knew a way to spare you from it. Some people are just going to keep dishing it out no matter what.

But I do believe in the power of prayer.
In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer.
Psalm 109:4 NIV
Keeping you and your family in mine daily.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #3:
Bob,

Just wanted to share with you answered prayers!

I have recently started praying to not react angrily with my ___ and my prayers have been quickly answered but unexpectedly!

You know before how you wrote about needing a thick skin in ministry...well I saw an online fight break out between two Christians. It was very bad and very public so I thought I should try to calm it down as it was making us look bad. I tried to be as reasonable as I could, being led by the Spirit. One of them turned on me and got angry with me so I gave them a very reasonable argument of why arguing was a waste of time but I did so very gently. The reason I was able to do this, usually my blood pressure goes through the roof when I get attacked and my reflex response is to fight back but I didn't have a reflex response, I felt calm and had a level of reserve and emotional distance whilst also having genuine care for the people involved and I actually managed to calm one of them down!

They were acting like deadly enemies (and had been for some time) but because I didn't take sides and tried to calmly explain why public fighting was bad, I manage to win one of them over and they even thanked me for being level headed and genuine! Of course all thanks goes to the Lord as I know that was His doing not mine. 

I was thinking about your ankle today. I am keeping it in my prayers.

I could give you some advice on that too . . . but of course, as I said earlier: NOTHING beats prayer!

Your friend in Jesus,
Response #3:
That's terrific news, my friend! It's always nice when the Lord sends one of these "maturity tests" our way and we manage to pass it, giving us a chance to see that we have made progress in drawing closer to Him through the truth.

"NOTHING beats prayer!" Amen! When we are relying on the Lord for solutions first and foremost, things always go better in every way.

Thanks for the "ankle prayers". Yes, I've temporarily stopped jogging and am walking instead. I am also using a compression sleeve sometimes (probably should do so more, but it bothers my Achilles). The toe nail of the big toe I jammed when I smashed my foot and took a tumble is still half black, so that's an indication that I probably need to lay off a little longer (I went back in full workouts too soon; it happened in early June).

Keeping you in my prayers too, my friend. Keep your victory firmly in mind as you face the coming weekend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #4:
Dear Bob,

I know it seems a strange question 'what to pray for' but it seems to me that God has a far better insight on prayer than we do. I have noticed certain things when praying for people. Sometimes praying for something does not lead to the end result you were hoping for. So he received what I was praying for but he seems to now be in a worst state than before!

This is the main gist of my email: Should we alter what we pray for when things change? As with my example, that we must think again what to pray for as sometimes it can have the opposite effect (that they harden their hearts towards God). I know that God reads our hearts and allows our hearts to harden or soften (or give us brand new ones) as a result of our response towards Him, or lack thereof.

This leads me to point number two: should we concentrate prayer for unbelievers towards salvation rather than deliverance?

It occurs to me that all deliverances from tribulations we experience on earth are only temporary and designed in the main not to give us a blissful life here without tribulation but to reveal our necessity for God and also to reveal His perfect character.

I have noticed with people in general that suffering doesn't always bring repentance and likewise blessing doesn't always produce gratitude.

In Jesus,
Response #4:
On prayer, it's important to remember that God is working everything out for good . . . for those who love Him (Rom.8:28). For us who belong to the Lord, He is not trying to trick us, after all. I know that is obvious, but if we are worried about the exact text of our prayers it's easy enough to fall into a way of thinking that isn't much different. If we are praying in the Spirit, then we can be sure that while "We do not know what we ought to pray for . . . the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans" (Rom.8:26b NIV). 

It is true that the more mature we get, the better our "batting average" also should get regarding figuring out what God's will is in any situation and having our prayers match it more and more closely (1Jn.5:14), but since we are told to "pray without ceasing" (1Thes.5:17), I have always maintained that more is better and persistence in prayer something to strive for (Lk.18:1-8). So I would never imagine that we could "mess things up" by praying – not if we are actually walking with the Lord. If things don't work out as expected, if the grace some receive is not appreciated or properly taken advantage of, that is not on us.

Which brings us to question #2, and there I would mostly agree with you. Unbelievers need salvation and spiritual growth thereafter. I won't say I never pray for other things for them (I sometimes do), but never without praying for what is really most important as well.

Keeping you in my daily prayers, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #5:
Hi Bob,

I am having a very difficult and painful time with ___ at the moment.. I have backed off but it is causing me a great deal of grief. I feel as though I am in a type of stalemate position whereby the only way to get along is for me to be in a suffering position.

It has also got me down as this is my area of ministry and I am not even able to minister to myself over this. It has humbled me so much that I have no idea what to do. I have completely hit the wall over this, so I have handed over the whole issue to the Lord and I am doing prayer battle over it. Please can you join me in battle over this issue my friend?

I have seen a lot of recent dramatic changes around me as a result of prayer. Huge changes in the lives around me. Some going in very unexpected directions but I am able to see the hand of God in these moves and that He is always moving people towards accepting salvation as the only solution whether they accept it or not. 

Many thanks my friend!

In Jesus,
Response #5:
Yes, there is no underestimating the power of prayer. We don't always get answered as soon as we would like, but it's important to persevere and remember that God loved us enough to sacrifice His beloved Son on our account; everything else "is an easy thing in His eyes" (2Ki.3:18).

When it comes to ministry, we also have to remember that "no prophet is accepted in his hometown" (Lk.2:24 NIV), so don't despair if those near and dear are hyper-problematic. That was also true for our Lord (Jn.7:5); but his brothers eventually came around (James and Jude for certain).

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #6:
Hi Mr. Luginbill,

My friend (you put up a prayer request for her on the Ichthys list) is going to testify against ___ in court on Monday and she is struggling. She scared he might hurt her or worse, and I am concerned for her.

I don't know God's Will but I don't want anything to happen to her. I know God listens to our prayers and answers them, even if it's not in the way we want. Does it matter how many people pray? Will God listen to you "more" if you have 7 praying than just 1?

If someone's having a surgery, people say, "what time is it and I will pray at that time", does that actually matter to God? If I gather lots of people together and we dedicate a time to pray does that do anything? I guess I'm just asking, how do I most effectively pray for her and her family when it is such an important court decision?

Thank you,
Response #6:
Regarding prayer, it does matter if more than one person is praying:
“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven."
Matthew 18:19 NIV
It does matter whether or not we "keep at it" and continue to be persistent in our prayers:
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’ ” And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
Luke 18:1-8 NIV
And, also very importantly, it does matter just who it is that is praying:
The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
James 5:16a-18 NIV
I don't find any scriptural justification to suggest that there is any benefit whatsoever in delaying prayer to "the precise time" when you think it might be necessary. From all I can see in scripture on the topic, the more prayer the better, and sooner rather than later. And since it DOES make a difference where we are at spiritually, we all ought to be focused on growing as much as possible and as quickly as possible as well, because that also has a positive impact. 

The more people praying the better, but our Lord says "two", not "twenty-two", and to me that says that there is a potential danger in getting hung up on the numbers game here. God has a "track record" in the Bible of doing amazing things in response to the prayer of single individuals. He is good and gracious and loving, and wants only our best. So it is wrong to think that because only four prayed instead of five, that therefore the prayer wasn't answered. We should be focused on trusting Him and growing in our faith, getting to the point that we are absolutely confident that if we ourselves alone only pray one time for something, we have a right to count on that prayer being answered – as long as it is His will (1Jn.5:14). For as you mention, we are not necessarily solid enough on the facts of any given situation to know what the best answer is – but we have the right to believe that God does . . . and that He will bring about that actual best result in His perfect timing.
"Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
Psalm 91:14-16 NIV
I will say a prayer for your friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #7:
Just a question: are there situations where we don't pray for people or stop praying for people? I have friends and relatives who are being abused – should we pray for the abusers?

[omitted]

I remember a few years ago at Easter, I witnessed a car break-in outside the house on the Sunday morning and saw a man smash the window to grab the bag of a nurse who was caring for someone in the area. At the time I was wondering whether I should pray for the robber but you said it would be better to pray for the victim.

So are we to stop praying for people when we know they are completely hardened?

There are some people on my prayer list (mainly from my past) that I feel I shouldn't pray for anymore. All these people are very hardened. Is that prompting from the Holy Spirit? So why do I feel guilty when I don't pray for them?

I am now realising how important and powerful prayer is so I want to do what is right and what honours our Lord.

In Him,
p.s., I was talking to a Christian online and I think he is a Calvinist. Reading up on Calvinism someone suggests that it can only lead to the conclusion that God is the author of evil -- that alarmed me but after talking to this Calvinist I could see how this leads. He argued that the 5 I wills of Satan have yet to occur and the Satanic rebellion occurs at the same time as the war on heaven just before Satan is thrown down. So he was arguing that the rebellion hasn't even happened yet?? The whole of the Bible refutes that doesn't it? Satan tempting Eve refutes that, encouraging Nimrod, possessing Saul etc...isn't all these things Satan's doing and all part of his ongoing rebellion, if not that would suggest that Satan is actually doing Gods will right now which is preposterous! It just occurred to me that through the whole book of Job, Satan slanders the brethren (which is a sin) and tempts God (which is a sin). Sin is rebellion so how can anyone say Satan hasn't begun rebelling yet? That is a mind bending thought and I am not sure it is fruitful to continue this discussion with a Calvinist?
Response #7:
I grew up Presbyterian and so have had conduct with Calvinists of one stripe or another for years as well, but I never remember anything like this. Of course hyper-Calvinism is off base about free will and of course that will logically lead to all manner of error if carried too far. But this is typical theology, namely, extrapolating "truth" from man-made principles . . . with Bible passages nowhere in site. You easily refuted the entire premise of this nonsense by reference to a few verses that just occurred to you – it didn't take any serious research. This weird grabbing onto clearly nutty positions for shock value is a trend. Seems marginal Christians (or look-alikes) have nothing better to do since they are not really interested in the truth.

In terms of prayer, I don't find anything wrong with praying for people who are not doing what is right; I also don't find anything wrong with being spare with prayer when it comes to random individuals who are doing wrong. Praying for those who oppose you personally is a godly thing to do (Matt.5:44-46; cf. Rom.12:20), but, again, there are limits. We don't have that much time. If we prayed for everyone we ever saw or thought about it's doubtful we'd have much time for anything else. So as with anything else in this life, prayer is about priorities. We try to get to our list daily, and we are always within our right to throw up random prayers when we see a need or opportunity. But I wouldn't put individuals like this on my personal list myself.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #8:
Doc, I used to pretty much idolize a right wing pundit. It took me ages to realize his "no nonsense, taking all of the issues he talks about as seriously and blunt as it should be" attitude was just him bashing people instead of properly rebuking in love. He's a sarcastic, prideful and most of all arrogant man who thinks rebuking means mocking and looking down on his political opponents. He doesn't seem to understand rebukes can still be harsh, but they need to be done with a clear motive of love. Doesn't surprise me since he's a devout Roman Catholic by his own words, a false believer. He cares more about political tradition than Scripture, interpreting the Word in light of the ways of old Conservative America, rather than the other way around. He says all people are commanded to marry and have children, and that even within marriage doing you can probably guess what for pleasure or even enjoying it at all is utterly obscene, and that it must be for procreation only (at least this is what his followers seem to say), even though Scripture clearly says that's not the case.

I sometimes feel sucked into what he said on his videos and whatnot, because it only seems like common sense most of the time...but we're to trust in the Lord and lean not on our own understanding. I don't see why so many believers, true believers even, follow him and listen to what he says when he's clearly not even saved to have the Lord guide him on anything. 

Please pray this man will repent and his followers will find sound doctrine.
Response #8:
If we were praying for all pundits and preachers who are teaching false doctrine here in Laodicea individually, we would have little time for anything else.

Prayer is wonderful weapon. On your request I will say a prayer, but I commend using that weapon yourself early and often.

*It's also the case that as you grow spiritually, your prayers are more effective. 
The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
James 5:16b-18 NIV
So keep growing day by day – that is solution to all things in this life which are spiritually worthwhile – and has the added advantage of sharpening your prayers (e.g., 1Jn.5:14).

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #9:
[omitted]
Response #9:
Thanks for the prayers! They managed to reopen the class and they force fed eight of the ten students onto the roster. Don't know what happened to the other two. I've emailed them but nothing yet. In any case, God is good!!! Now my Greek class will "go" and I won't be in a big mess (next year too since otherwise no Greek 201/202). I greatly appreciate the prayer support! Also, it looks like my new part-timer is a "go" as well. She managed to get her transcripts after all today and that was the last big hang up preventing hiring. Lots of things "in the wind" but it's all blowing in the right direction now – answers to prayer!

Thanks again – the Body of Christ supporting each other is a wonder to behold (and I am greatly appreciative)!

Keeping you in my prayers daily too, my friend! And thanks much for the encouraging words.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #10:
[omitted]
Response #10:
Thanks much for the good words.

Yes indeed, God is VERY good! And it's also good to have some dedicated prayer warriors on your side when troubles arise. Thank you!

Latest: I've got all ten students back! However, on the PTL front, the university apparently messed up the background check by spelling her name wrong on the forms! We need to get that step out of the way to complete the hire and allow her to enter the classroom on day one. So do keep praying! [update: it all worked out . . . of course]

First day is Monday next.

Keeping you in my daily prayers as well, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #11:
Doc do you think God hears/answers the prayers of unbelievers? Asking because prayers like this would of course happen rather often, from "Christians" and Jews who believe in His existence yet deny the true Gospel. Does God consider such prayers?
Response #11:
Here's what I read in scripture:

One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.”
Acts 10:3-6 NIV

Cornelius was a good man who desired salvation and the Lord answered his prayers, sending him Peter the apostle – as a result of whose giving of the gospel he and his friends were saved (as the rest of the chapter relates).

So I would say that God never denies the prayers of those who want to be saved. So it depends what people are praying for and why they are praying. God could not NOT know that they prayed and what they prayed. That is all in the plan as is everything else. Also, God answers the real desire, if godly, behind the prayer ofttimes, rather than the exact "text" of the prayer itself. 
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!"
Matthew 7:7-11 NKJV
So all who are willing to be saved are saved. That is what unbelievers need rather than anything else they might pray for. God knows what is genuinely in the hearts of all, Christ died for all, so any prayer of willingness to be saved will always be answered – that is the way I read the scriptures.
[God] who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
1st Timothy 2:4 NIV

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.
2nd Peter 3:9 NASB20
In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #12:
How does praying for people work? I understand prayer between God and an individual, I think. How does our praying for others help them? God knows everything we need and everything others need, and He doesn't "change His mind" on what to do for others just cause of what we pray, right? I can't quite understand it.
Response #12:
As to prayer, it is true that God knows everything, that He has decreed everything in eternity past, and that nothing happens which is not part of the perfect plan. So why do anything at all? Well, if a person is thinking that way, God knew that too . . . and ordained for them to suffer the consequences of such arrogant thought. Also, God in answering prayers on behalf of others, knew we would pray them when He ordained His answer; but if we don't pray them, then that was known and ordained as well. So it's a trap to think hyper-Calvinistically. We need to do what we should do at all times (and refrain from doing what we should not), then all will be well. And we definitely should pray for other believers.
"As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you."
1st Samuel 12:23 NIV

"Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven."
Matthew 18:19 NIV

Pray continually!
1st Thessalonians 5:17 NIV

Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.
1st Timothy 2:8 NIV
Here is link on prayer which will lead to others: "Prayer Questions VI"
Question #13:
On prayer, I am afraid my question came across as "what is the point of praying for others?" I certainly didn't intend it to sound that way - I was more confused on the concept and how it works, not on whether we should do it. I know it is good to pray for other believers. I guess it could help us focus on others and loving them and looking to their needs, not only to our own?
Response #13:
On prayer, in terms of the "how", prayer is having a conversation with the Lord and asking Him for godly things, believing He will do them and asking in the power of the Spirit. That is the case whether we are praying for ourselves or someone else. 
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Ephesians 6:18 NIV
Sorry if I misunderstood.
Question #14:
Your instructions on prayer were helpful, too. You didn't misunderstand, the fault was entirely mine in the way I phrased it.
Response #14:
Thanks!
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #15:
[omitted]
Response #15:
I can only tell you my own policy. When it comes to unbelievers or those whom I suspect are so, I generally only ever pray for their salvation, and I don't put them on my list. Close friends past and present and family members / in-laws are an exception. 

Otherwise, I do try not to get personally involved on anything but a peripheral or professional level with those who aren't saved. John tells us that we even don't need to mind about praying for believers who have involved themselves in the sin unto death (1Jn.5:16). But Paul tells us that he would gladly give up his own salvation if by so doing he might save fellow Jews (Rom.9:3). So I feel that biblical statements confirm this guidance, namely, to be prudent in the application of prayer, not wasting our breath for those who are not giving any indication of responding because of unbelief or involvement in gross sin. On the other hand, the Lord understands if for whatever reason we have a special attachment to certain individuals, so we're not wasting our breath there.
Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?” He answered, “For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.”
Genesis 18:2 NIV
The Lord DID destroy Sodom . . . but He also rescued Lot (which was the real desire behind Abraham's petition).

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #16:
Doc, when someone says they used to be Christian and they left the faith, I still pray for them because I know people and have even seen people on your site who truly believed and abandoned God, yet came back in sincere repentance. I pray for them in the offchance they're in a similar "prodigal son" phase, or if there's no indication they actually believed the Gospel. This isn't a bad thing is it?
Response #16:
My theory in terms of prayer is that more is better than less. So if I'm in any doubt, I usually do say a prayer. The more we grow, the better we get at listening to the Spirit on these issues, but I can't imagine why it would be a "bad thing" to pray for the salvation and spiritual growth of anyone (although admittedly sometimes it does turn out to be pointless: cf. 1Jn.5:16).

Hope you are doing well, my friend. Keeping you in my prayers.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #17:
Hi Bob,

Many thanks for your email. Sorry it's taken me a while to get back to you. Thanks for letting me know about the Hebrews series. 

I had wondered if it was ok to send a prayer request? 

And I do appreciate you keeping in touch. It's really good of you. 

Yours in Christ. 
Response #17:
No worries!

I'd be happy to post a prayer request for you on the Ichthys list. Just send it along.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #18:
Hello Bob,

I am grateful to God that things worked out well for you! He has a way of answering prayers and surprising us with things we did not anticipate. Perhaps that is his way of showing us he had a hand in it. Thanks for sharing the verse from Matthew, and David's words. I want to thank you for your prayers as well. My brother is in a better place than he was a month ago. Continued prayers are much appreciated. I am sure that your prayers have benefited me in ways I can't even imagine. There is nothing out of reach for our Lord and Savior! I appreciate the update my friend.

In Jesus Christ,
Response #18:
Thank you!

I'm keeping you and your brother in my daily prayers.

"Perhaps that is his way of showing us he had a hand in it."  I'm sure you're right!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #19:
Hello Bob, long time no hear. 

I hope and pray that all is well with you. I am updating you finally on (brother in law) who had a stroke. My sister informed me that her husband is working on getting stronger, walking and writing. She also told me that he drove their vehicle two times a short distance on the private road that they live on. The Doctor told him that only 12% of people have a stroke on the right side, and most of the people don't survive. God heard all our prayers. It's not God's will yet for him to leave this world. I'm not afraid of leaving this world I just want to be ready to meet our maker (which I am). Thank you Jesus. Thank you Bob for all your prayers and all the work that you are doing for our Heavenly Father.

God bless you,
Response #19:
That's fantastic news!

Thanks so much for the updated (added a "praise" on the Ichthys list). I'll keep praying for his complete recovery. God is good!

I hope you both are also doing well health-wise and every other way.

Keeping you and your family in my prayers daily.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #20:
Thank you again. 

How do I pray for someone in a way that glorifies God and will lead to the eternal rewards He wants me to win? 

I realize I shouldn't let my prayer life and my help for others by praying for them be an excuse to not spiritually grow, but I know I should pray for others.
Response #20:
You're welcome.

Even though we have limited time and energy, we should all be praying continually. Rather than being an obstacle to growth, prayer is a necessary element in that spiritual growth (Heb.10:10-25).
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people.
Ephesians 6:18 NIV

Pray without ceasing!
1st Thessalonians 5:17 NIV
The Lord hears all of our prayers (Matt.7:7; 1Jn.5:14), and any prayer you pray in the Spirit is rewarded (Matt.6:5). Let Him direct your heart to what is needful to pray. Following a list you've made is not a bad thing to do.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Prayers for this ministry are always appreciated!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
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