Most people, when faced with a crisis, reach out to God. Even those who don't really have a close relationship with Jesus will ask others to pray. They ask their family, friends, and even strangers to pray. But how many people commit to pray for someone and never do? The words “I'll pray for you” have become just something to say. Like any other common words of comfort, when you feel sorry for someone or sad because of what trial they are facing. Almost like saying “Have a nice day”. But when we tell someone that we will pray for them, we have made a commitment before God to lift that person up in prayer, to earnestly pray, asking for God's will to be done in their lives. If we have no intention of praying for that person, then we should not say we would. If at all possible, it is good to stop what we are doing and pray right then. There is a world of hurting people all around us who need prayer. Start praying today for others, and when you are asked to pray for someone, don't just say, “I'll pray for you” with a concerned tone in your voice, but really mean it and pray with passion.
James 5:16 KJV - Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV - Pray without ceasing.
1 John 5:14-15 KJV - And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
Psalm 145:18 KJV - The LORD [is] nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.