Counsels on Relationships

Counsel #18 — Friends Intercede Faithfully

Picture: Counsel #18 — Friends Intercede Faithfully CR 36.1

Having friends who pray with you and for you is a profound blessing that strengthens both your friendship and your spiritual journey with Christ. Prayerful friendships invite God’s presence into the relationship, creating a foundation rooted in faith, trust, love, and hope.^[36] CR 36.2

Godly friends stand by you and support you during life’s trials. Whenever you lack faith or can’t find the words to express your feelings, these friends will lift your needs and worries in prayer, offering spiritual support and encouragement. In times of trial and tribulation, we sometimes stray away from God and try to fix our problems on our own. Doing this is unwise and can yield unfortunate and life-altering consequences, which is why it’s extremely important to have friends who can remind you of God’s promises even when He seems silent. Prayerful friendships can strengthen your faith and help you create a powerful, God-centered connection that can endure even the toughest of challenges. CR 36.3

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20 NIV CR 36.4

“It is natural to seek companionship. Everyone will find companions or make them. And just in proportion to the strength of the friendship, will be the amount of influence which friends will exert over one another for good or for evil...” Ellen White in The Faith I Live By, p. 234 CR 36.5

Reflect: Do you pray for your friends? How many of your friends pray for you? CR 36.6