How To Pray For Your Brothers and Sisters In Christ

The following story from the life of "Praying Hyde" provides instruction in how to pray for others in the church. How might our fellowships be impacted if this approach was adopted? Read the following excerpt and compare it to your prayer life:

Mr. Hyde had a wonderful experience to
which he owed, I believe, his power with God, and
therefore with man. He used to speak of it as one
of the most direct and solemn lessons God ever
taught him. He was up in the hills resting for a
short time. He had been burdened about the spiritual
conditions of a certain pastor, and he resolved to
spend time in definite intercession for him. Entering
into his "inner chamber" he began pouring out
his heart to his Heavenly Father concerning that
brother somewhat as follows: --
"O God! Thou knowest that my brother now is"
-- ("cold" he was going to say) when suddenly a
hand seemed to be laid on his lips, and a voice said
to him in stern reproach, "He that toucheth him,
toucheth the apple of mine eye." A great horror came
over him. He had been guilty before God of "accusing
the brethren". [Rom 2:15] He felt rebuked and
humbled before God. It was he himself who first
needed putting right. He confessed this sin. (He
claimed the precious blood of Christ that cleanseth
from all sin!) [1 John 1:7] "Whatsoever things are
lovely ... if there be any virtue, if there be any praise,
think on 'these things.'" [Phil 4:8]

Then he cried out, "Father, show me what
things are lovely and of good report in my brother's
life." Like a flash he remembered how that brother
had given up all for Christ, enduring much
suffering from relations whom he had given up!
He was reminded of his years of hard work, of
the tact with which he managed his difficult
congregation, of the many quarrels he had healed,
of what a model husband he was. One thing after
another rose up before him and so all his prayer
season was spent in praise for his brother instead
of in prayer. He could not recall a single petition,
nothing but thanksgiving! God was opening his
servant's eyes to the highest of ministries, that
of praise.

Mark the result also on that brother's life:
When Mr. Hyde went down to the plains, he found
that just then the brother had received a great
spiritual uplift. While he was praising, God was
blessing. A wonderful Divine Law, the law of a
Father's love. While we bless God for any child
of His, He delights to bless that one!

This was the secret of John Hyde`s power with
God. He saw the good in God's little ones, and so was
able to appreciate God's work of grace in that heart.
Hence he supplied the heavenly atmosphere
of praise in which God's love was free to work in
all its fullness.