When we pray for others to be comforted by God, for what are we praying?
1. PEACE OF MIND
We pray that they will come to rest in God’s goodness that will ultimately be revealed as before and after, underneath and above every valley of despair and death. The Christian is strengthened by the fact that the cross the Christian bears is his or her portion of the afflictions of Christ until he returns. The “rod” that we feel is a sharing in his long-suffering of this world for eternal and glorious purposes.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:4-6 ESV
2. CALMNESS OF SOUL
We pray they will experience God’s presence in the midst of grief and suffering. We pray they will come to quietness before all the “what if” questions raised in those moments. We pray they will be calmed by the knowledge that our holy and loving God has supreme, final say on everything.
“‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD.
‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
‘For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall make a name for the LORD, an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.'” Isaiah 55:8-13 ESV
3. STRENGTHENED WITH HOPE AND FAITH
We pray they will trust God’s steadfast love when his hand of deliverance is withheld. We pray their spirit will be strengthened in the knowledge that God is working all things together for good for those who love him and that he will lead the way through the darkness of the moment – that he will lead the suffering one, the grieving one, to new springs of life and purpose as their life moves on.
“Hear my prayer, O Lord; give ear to my pleas for mercy! In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness! Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you. For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead. Therefore my spirit faints within me; my heart within me is appalled.
“I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands. I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah.
“Answer me quickly, O Lord! My spirit fails! Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit. Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.
“Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord! I have fled to you for refuge. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground! For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life! In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble! And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies, and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul, for I am your servant.” Psalm 143:1-12 ESV
Summary
Our prayers for others, that they would be comforted by God, emphasize seeking peace of mind, calmness of soul, and strengthened hope and faith. We ask for divine comfort in despair, trust in God’s love during trials, and assurance that He will guide and sustain through life’s challenges, ultimately leading to renewed purpose and joy.
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