Pray for Me by Kenneth H. Carter Jr.

“Pray for me,” someone says to you. How seriously do you take such a request?

Ken Carter, a pastor for nearly 30 years, says he has learned to honour the request “Pray for me” as a cry for help. “It is an acknowledgement that we are limited and finite creatures. It is a trust placed in a higher power,” he comments. “It is always prompted by a situation that would not be desired, yet it is always an occasion for the grace of God.”

Carter compares a person in need—whether it’s because of illness, grief, a broken relationship, a job loss, or a spiritual crisis—to someone holding a bucket that is full. The bucket is filled with emotion, grief, confusion, and disappointment.

An intercessor comes alongside the person in need, holding an empty bucket. The person in need pours out his or her concerns into the intercessor’s empty bucket. The intercessor then receives that person’s agenda as a calling from God to pray for him or her.

In “Pray for Me” Carter lays a scriptural foundation for intercessory prayer and introduces you to this powerful and life-changing ministry. Interspersed through the 6 chapters are brief, practical exercises that lead you to pray for others in various situations.

If you’ve ever felt a burden to pray for others but didn’t know where to start, this book is a must-read. Individuals, small groups, and congregations who want to grow in their ministry of intercessory prayer will benefit from reading this book.