One way to look at prayer is that it is us calling on the power of heaven to see change in the world and the people around us. Where the Lord’s prayer has an “us” or inward focus (give us, forgive us, lead us), there is a similarly important outward focus which we are to exercise in our prayers. As much as we inhale the Lord’s provision, loving mercy, and guidance, we are to exhale these blessings upon others as well. Prayer is intimate and personal, but it is also inclusive and communal. In this text Paul is calling us to be alert in our prayers for others. It can be easy to get stuck in a pattern of praying only for “me and those near and dear to me”, but Paul’s words remind us to broaden our gaze.