Engage 2026 is a national prayer initiative calling every believer to commit to praying for those who do not yet know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. Over time, our prayer is that this initiative will continue to deepen our understanding that prayer and mission are inseparable, and that every believer takes personal responsibility to pray for those around them.
During this year of prayer, we are inviting people to share experiences from their churches which may help and encourage congregations. Rev Jeremy Ross, Chief Executive of the Christian charity Blythswood Care has shared some thoughts about why we pray.
By Rev Jeremy Ross
Sometimes people ask ‘why pray when God already knows what he’s going to do?’ Maybe you think if your friends are going to come to faith in Jesus, there’s no point in praying.
Here are ten reasons to pray for ten friends.
- Jesus prayed.
The Gospels tell us Jesus prayed. Luke 5:16 shows Jesus withdrawing to lonely places to pray. In Gethsemane he prayed, ‘Not my will, but yours.’ If the Son prayed, so must we.
- Jesus commands us to pray.
‘This then is how you should pray.’ To neglect prayer is simple disobedience.
- Prayer is powerful.
In Mark 9:29 Jesus says, ‘This kind can come out only by prayer.’ It’s not just that who we pray to is able, but the thing we do, the praying, is powerful too. God has made it so. The prayers of a righteous person are powerful and effective.
- Consider who we pray to.
In Exodus 32:11-14, Moses prayed to the Lord his God. Prayer should be worship to our eternal, covenant-making creator and, now we’ve been told by Jesus, as to ‘Our Father’. Remember who we are speaking to as we make our requests.
- Pray because of what God has already done.
Moses pleads for ‘your people whom you brought out of Egypt.’ We pray to a God who has already acted in salvation. We have the cross in view and know he is merciful.
- Pray for God’s glory.
Moses appeals to God’s reputation. We long for God’s name to be honoured. In this world, would that not be seen as people are saved?
- Prayer acknowledges God’s power.
As the God who powerfully acted in the past, only God could make Israel as numerous as the stars. Only God can save. It’s the same today; we can ask God to show his saving power.
- Pray God’s promises back to him.
Moses prayed ‘Remember what you swore.’ Jesus promised not to turn away those who come to him.
- Prayer is God’s chosen means of fulfilling his plan.
We pray ‘your will be done.’ God ordains not just what is going to happen, but how it is going to happen. He has ordained that people would pray and in answer to their prayers he would fulfil his unfolding plan.
- God saves people who are prayed for.
It happened in Exodus 32, and Christ intercedes for us. When we pray for others, God may graciously act.
The Free Church of Scotland is inviting you to be part of Engage 2026 — a national prayer initiative calling every believer to commit to praying for those who do not yet know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.