The Sacred Duty of Praying for Others
Elias Bejjani/May 06/2025
The duty of praying for others—regardless of who they are, especially those in need of help, support, and compassion, whether family, relatives, strangers, or even enemies—is a deeply spiritual and emotional act. It reflects the mercy, tenderness, and love of the Almighty Creator who is capable of all things. This sacred practice is a genuine expression of the strength, depth, and resilience of the believer’s faith and hope. It demonstrates a steadfast belief that God is the loving Father of all, merciful and forgiving, who listens and responds to those who call upon Him and seek His mercy.
The Miracle of the Paralytic’s Healing
In the Gospel of Saint Mark (2:1–12), we read:
“When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them. Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’ Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, ‘Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, ‘Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven,” or to say, “Stand up and take your mat and walk”? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—he said to the paralytic—’I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home.’ And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this!’ Then he went out again beside the sea; the whole crowd gathered around him, and he taught them.”
This miracle, in its theological core, affirms without doubt that intercessory prayer and supplications on behalf of others are not only acceptable to God, but are heard and answered by Him. As recounted in the Gospel, the paralytic did not seek healing himself. He did not ask for mercy, nor did he seek forgiveness for his sins—even though, as many theologians suggest, Jesus frequently visited Capernaum, where the paralytic lived.
What’s even more striking is that it was the paralytic’s friends, relatives, or perhaps even some of Jesus’ disciples, who had such strong faith that they believed Jesus could heal the man simply by touching him. Their unwavering faith drove them to carry the man, push through the crowd, climb the roof, break it open, and lower him down to Jesus. Because of their faith and certainty in the Lord’s mercy and power, Jesus responded to their plea and healed the paralytic, acknowledging the strength of their belief.
Since sin is a form of eternal suffering and death in the fires of Hell—and because sin’s temptations, traps, and allurements paralyze a person morally, spiritually, and emotionally—Jesus first forgave the man’s sins, then healed his physical paralysis, saying: “Stand up, take your mat, and go.”
God never turns away those who seek Him with true faith and trust. With fatherly love and attentiveness, He hears our prayers and answers them. As the Lord Himself said: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, it will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7–8)
From this, we understand that intercessory prayer—for both the living and the dead, for friends and enemies alike—is a holy obligation and is accepted by God, who is love, compassion, and mercy. He does not turn away those who ask sincerely, nor does He ignore the needs of the suffering.
In the Gospel of Matthew (18:19–20), Jesus confirms the power of collective prayer: “Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”
And Saint James says in his letter (5:16): “Pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.” He also adds (5:15): “The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and if they have committed sins, they will be forgiven.”
Praying for those in need is a sacred duty for every true believer—especially for those caught in the snares of sin and temptation, and for those mentally or emotionally unable to comprehend or resist sin’s consequences, such as the mentally ill, the psychologically distressed, and the physically or verbally impaired.
The miracle of the paralytic is not the only example in the Bible where Jesus or the apostles performed a miracle in response to someone else’s plea. For instance, Jesus healed the servant of the Roman centurion in Capernaum at the centurion’s request (Matthew 8:5–13). He also raised Lazarus from the dead in response to the plea of his sisters, Mary and Martha (John 11:1–44).
This rich spiritual understanding forms the foundation for asking the intercession of the Virgin Mary and the blessings of the saints in our prayers.
Let us pray for the healing of every person weakened by illness—whether physical, spiritual, or moral. God, who is love, never turns away those who come to Him in faith. Let us pray and ask the Lord Jesus to free us from the temptations of this perishable world and to guide us toward spiritual, moral, and cultural growth. Let us pray for our consciences to be cleansed and our hearts to be purified, that we may be freed from selfishness and base desires. May God grant us the grace of humility, that we may be messengers of love, freedom, and justice—true advocates of peace and harmony.
O Lord, grant us strength and patience to endure the shame of this passing world. We ask You in repentance and hope that we may not be disgraced on the Day of Judgment. God sees us, hears us, and is always with us—by our side and in our midst. Let us trust in Him, and fear Him in all our actions, words, and thoughts.
