Some believe that we should not pray for those in the world because of a few verses in Jeremiah. However, the bulk of the Bible shows just the opposite!

Deeply examining ourselves for flaws and shortcomings, as we do each year before Passover, helps us to accomplish Christ's command to watch and pray always.

Though we can serve in many ways, one area where we often miss a golden opportunity to help others is in prayer. It requires no special skills or equipment.

Jesus remarks that our lips tell the tale our hearts try to hide. Using this proverb as a foundation, what do our prayers tell God about us?

Even though we often must wait for a response, God listens closely to our prayers from the heart and is looking out for our best interests.

God expects us to intercede in behalf of others, but we must do this with wisdom, sincerity, and humility, with the help of God's Spirit, according to God's will.

Jesus demonstrated the importance of intercessory prayer, a practice urged by Paul for spiritual siblings, family members, rulers, and even enemies.

God does not hear a prayer of pride, selfishness, and self exaltation, but He listens to prayers of supplication and intercession for the saints.

Pure religion, according to James, takes care of vulnerable people — the widows, fatherless, and strangers. This echoes the words of the prophets.

Christ prays for us as He did for His original disciples because we, too, have been called by the Father. Christ values us because the Father values us.