The Golden Rule...of Prayer

“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.” ~ Matt. 7:12

The Golden Rule, as it has come to be known, is well known, especially, throughout Christendom. But any truthful observer will have to admit, it is practiced by few. Most adhere to Samson’s rule. “As they did unto me, so have I done unto them.” (Judges 15:11)

The simple reason God’s Golden Rule has not been implemented in our lives is because we are self-centered, rather than Christ-Centered. If a person or thing does not revolve around us. If it or they, do not touch some area of our lives, if we do not benefit, there is little, or no concern from us.

Years ago, while interceding in prayer for someone, I was impressed with a life changing thought. I’ve tried my dead level best to follow through with it, though I have fallen short at times. The thought I had was, if I applied the Golden Rule to my prayer life, then my prayer life would be revolutionized. And it was!

My Golden Rule...of prayer is: “PRAY FOR OTHERS, AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM PRAY FOR YOU.” As the prophet of old said, “I sat where they sat.” How would you want people to pray for you if it were your wayward child, your broken health, your financial dilemma, your overpowering habit, your Satanic temptation, or your crumbling family? The list is innumerable. What we’re speaking of is life.

How we need to heed the words of the writer of Hebrews, addressing the early suffering Hebrew Christians. “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.” (Heb. 13:2) Pray for them the way you want them to pray for you, when your time of trial comes. Paul sums up for us what the Christian’s philosophy in prayer should be, “And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it.” (1 Cor. 12:26)

By An Old Disciple

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