Why do we encourage folks to pray for others, laying hands praying for them in big ways right on the spot? Even our kids learn to do this.
1. Because to pray in this fashion forces everyone to do something we normally aren’t that great at… listen. Really listen hard to what they asked prayer for, what other people prayed, and even to the Spirit of God. It’s really stretching.
2. Because it stretches their hearts, as they mediate on, and put themselves in other people’s places and seek to bless them. It’s impossible to pray without growing in compassion!
3. It’s obvious if someone prayers at all on their own or not and praying together TEACHES those new to the faith how to speak to God as a Father. It also challenges them to pray in secret as they around surrounded by that example.
4. It challenges them to know the scriptures, because when we pray we come to God only as He is revealed to us, leaning on the promises He made to us in His word.
5. Finally it really stretches our faith to ask God for big things. When you pray with people, you can often see the result for what you asked right in front of your eyes. Others hear and agreed with you in prayer and they are also having their faith and hope stretched as well!