&quote;Pray for Me&quote;

&quote;Pray for me,&quote; someone says. How seriously do most Christians take such requests?&quote;The request 'Pray for me' is one that I have learned to honor,&quote; writes Kenneth Carter, a pastor for nearly 30 years. &quote;It is a cry for help, however it is expressed. It is an acknowledgment that we are limited and finite creatures. It is a trust placed in a higher power.&quote; Using a beautiful metaphor, Carter compares the person in need-whether it's because of illness, a broken relationship, unemployment, grief, or another crisis-to a full bucket. That person's bucket is filled with emotion, grief, confusion, and disappointment. The intercessor comes alongside the person with an empty bucket. Intercessors take into their &quote;empty bucket&quote; the person's needs, and they begin their ministry of praying for that person. In *&quote;Pray for Me&quote;** Carter lays a scriptural foundation and introduces readers to the ministry of intercessory prayer. Interspersed through the 6 chapters are brief, practical exercises that lead the reader to pray for others in various situations. Appendices include a small-group guide, contexts for intercessory prayer, personal and congregational models for intercession, and suggestions for further reading. This book is a must-read for groups and congregations that want to explore intercession more deeply, or feel the need to pray for others but don't know how.