We were on holiday in the Southern Cape when I heard about the attack on my friend and his wife at four in the morning on their farm between Stellenbosch and Somerset West.

The attackers climbed through a window and attacked them in their bedroom. The attackers beat them with crowbars. Fortunately, his wife was able to escape and press the emergency button.

My friend was immediately admitted to the ICU. He was not in a good condition. In fact, no one knew if he would survive the attack. The scans did not bring any good news.

I still remember walking through town and just begging God to be with him. I asked God to take over the hands and feet and minds of the doctors, so that they would know what to do next.

I kept repeating this prayer, because I knew we needed reinforcements.

My friend is an active member of the CBMC, and many of his fellow Christians intervened for him. The farmers also formed prayer groups. I sometimes wonder if my friend will ever fully realise how many people interceded for him and his wife?

A little over a month later, I got a call from Johan: “I’m just calling to say I’m home. I’m doing great. I’m just still getting tired from all the walking!” I said out loud: “Praise the Lord! This is a miracle! The Lord has heard and answered our prayers!”

I believe in prayer. I believe that God hears us and that it’s easy for Him to do something about it, especially if we pray according to His will. God is a Father, and as a Father, He can hardly stop Himself from giving His children what they ask for.

As friends, we have a responsibility to pray for one another, especially in times of crisis. It’s a privilege to intercede for your fellow Christian friends and family.

However, this applies not only in times of crisis, but also when they stray from the right path – then we must also intercede with God on their behalf.

¹⁶For instance, if we see a Christian believer sinning (clearly I’m not talking about those who make a practice of sin in a way that is “fatal,” leading to eternal death), we ask for God’s help and he gladly gives it, gives life to the sinner whose sin is not fatal.

The person may not even know that they need help. How can they then pray for help?

This is precisely what friends should do in prayer. Pray they not only recognize the wrong path, but turn from it and return to the light.

Let’s carry our friends who’re on the wrong path, one by one, to our Father. In this way, we might save a life!

Scripture
1 John 5:14-21

Reflection
Do you believe in prayer?
Do you pray for your friends?
Who do you have to pray for right now?

Prayer
Lord, I realise I have a responsibility to pray for my friends. I will now pray for … Amen.