The Most Effective PrayerOur Sages teach us an invaluable principle: "One who prays for his friend while he himself is in need of the same thing will be answered first" (Bava Kama 92a).
This tenet is derived from Iyov, who reversed his suffering by praying for his friends. In the merit of praying for others, he lived an additional 140 years and HaShem blessed with great wealth and four generations of fine descendants. We find another example of this principle in the life of Avraham Avinu. When Avimelech seized Sarah, HaShem smote Avimelech and his entire household with a crippling illness. Avimelech acknowledged his guilt, and Avraham prayed for him. Since Avraham prayed for him, HaShem blessed Avraham and Sara to have a son in their elderly years, Yitzchak.
Lesson: When we pray for others, feelings of love for them are awakened in our heart. HaShem, Who loves all of His creations, sees our compassion and answers our own request as well as our prayers for our friends.
Visualization: Envision Avraham Avinu praying for Avimelech. See his heart fill with empathy for the suffering of a fellow human being. Be inspired by Avraham's love for others. Think of person who needs help and pray for him or her.
