Written By: Ugo Uchendu
"God, I know I don't know this person...but please hear me," is how I used to start every prayer that I made for a stranger.
I felt guilty. Like I was crossing some invisible boundary.
One day, during my quiet time, God took me to Genesis 18. In the latter half of that chapter, Abraham intercedes on behalf of not just one stranger, but a city full of them!
Genesis 18:22-26 The other men turned and headed toward Sodom, but the LORD remained with Abraham. Abraham approached him and said, “Will you sweep away both the righteous and the wicked? Suppose you find fifty righteous people living there in the city—will you still sweep it away and not spare it for their sakes? Surely you wouldn’t do such a thing, destroying the righteous along with the wicked. Why, you would be treating the righteous and the wicked exactly the same! Surely you wouldn’t do that! Should not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?” And the LORD replied, “If I find fifty righteous people in Sodom, I will spare the entire city for their sake.”
Not only did God hear Abraham's prayers, he responded. Just like He responds to you when you pray for that random lady crossing the street, or that influencer who just happened to make an appearance on your timeline.
You don't need to have a relationship with someone to pray for them. Your prayers are effective, and God has given you the desire to pray for a reason!
James 5:16 ...The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
So don't waste any more time reasoning with God. Approach his throne boldly and make your request known!