James 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 

Last year I had some blood pressure issues that landed me in the hospital for 3 days. Friends and family mentioned that they would be praying for me. Grateful for their concern, but deep down I wondered who was really praying on my behalf. When we see someone in need, most respond with: “praying for you”. It's an easy response and makes them feel good as it does the one saying it. But, do you really pray?

I truly believe we throw out the prayer response far too often without meaning it. I know I'm guilty of it at times, maybe you are too. But who are we letting down, that person or God? God doesn't need our prayers to heal someone because he's going to do what His heart moves Him to do. But when you fail to follow through with your intentions to pray, you let God know it's not important and you allow the business of life to fill the the air with unbacked commitments. Imagine if God never remained faithful to help you? You would quickly lose faith in Him. 

Be a person of your word. If you promise to pray on someone’s behalf, stick with it. Pray silently right then so time won't erase what was promised. 

We all need prayer and God is looking to you to remain faithful to your commitments. By doing so, your prayer might just be the one to move God's heart to bring healing to the hurting.