The Importance of Prayer: Approaching the Throne of GraceSample

Praying for Your Friends

READ: John 15:12–13; 1 Peter 4:8–10

SOAP: John 15:13

No one has greater love than this—that one lays down his life for his friends.

Into the text

In His last hours before His arrest, trial, and crucifixion, Jesus spent time with His closest friends. He intentionally chose to spend this time with His twelve disciples to share an intimate meal with them. Jesus taught His disciples one final time, sharing with them about the Holy Spirit who was to come, how to remain in Him, and what to expect as His followers.

Jesus commanded His disciples to remain in Him. Remaining in Jesus means following Him and staying close to His heart, living in obedience and faith. Jesus laid down His life for us, and one of the ways we remain in Him is by loving one another the same way He loved us.

We may not need to lay down our lives for our friends physically, but we can lay down our lives in prayer for them. Each time we stop the rhythms of our daily life, each time we pause to share their burdens with the Lord, each time we go before the throne of grace with a request on behalf of a friend, we lay down our lives for them. Laying down our lives for our friends means putting them first, sharing their burdens, and caring for them when they are in need. It means walking with them through trials and supporting them in difficulty. It means calling them back to God when they stumble and encouraging them to keep following Jesus.

Today, lift up some of your closest friends in prayer and let them know what you’re praying for. Call them and pray for them over the phone or meet with them in person and pray for them aloud. When we lay down our lives for our friends, we model the love of Christ for them tangibly.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, You are the perfect model for how to love my friends. Give me wisdom and boldness to love my friends how You loved me. I lift them up to You today. Work in their lives and encourage them. Draw them close to You and meet their needs. Bring them hope, joy, and peace in their struggles today. In Your name, amen.