Some time ago I called in to see the daughter of an old friend of mine. She was doing some home improvements and various other “stuff” and it was all getting on top of her. She told me her woes and explained her plans. As I was leaving she asked me to pray for the success of her endeavours. I advised her never to ask me to pray for her. As I always and only pray according to the will of the Eternal Father and not the will of man or in this case woman. Furthermore, that the will of the Almighty, would not run parallel with her will.
She just nodded.
The reason for my warning is that when I do pray for someone their life falls apart, their aims in life are crossed and they will find themselves in a process of being stripped of everything. This is what is called "teaching the heart to fear" By the self same Spirit that may well "the fears relieve".*
I'd been praying for her from the first time we met. When she would boast of her plans I'd be praying to have them crossed. When she was boasting about enjoying life I would look up and ask, how do the wicked boast of peace? Is it not written that "There is no peace unto the wicked". I would then ask Him to deal with her. I did so in the knowledge that His dealing may be unto life eternal or destruction. I hoped unto life eternal and still do.
*"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of sonship, whereby we cry, Abba, Father". Romans 8:15