The Best Thing You Can Do for People

What role does prayer play in our discipleship journey and how can it be the best thing we can do for others?Dr. Joel Beeke emphasizes the pivotal role of prayer in discipleship, sharing his own practice of praying with every individual who seeks his counsel. Whether in his study, in the middle of a crowd, or on the church parking lot, he affirms the power of prayer as the capstone for discipleship. He cites John Newton's words, asserting that praying for someone is the best thing one can do for them. This practice not only offers support but also conveys a sense of profound friendship that can move both parties to tears.Prayer, according to Dr. Beeke, should not only be urgent and passionate but also rich in content. As pastors and laypeople pray for others, they are not only interceding but also discipling them through the words they choose. These prayers can provide instruction on how to approach God, addressing specific requests and walking through major points, thus embedding instruction within the appeal to God for help. Even as prayer primarily serves as a direct plea to God, it also carries an instructional aspect to guide people in their spiritual journey.James 5:16 (NKJV): 'Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.'