Is it our duty to pray for the salvation of others?

Christ was once in a certain house where He was surrounded by Pharisees and teachers of the law that came from every village in Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem, and He was teaching them. When He saw a paralytic man being brought down through the roof by four men, He interrupted His talk to grant the paralytic forgiveness and healing. It is as though, in His friendship with us, He does not care about teaching in and of itself — like some teachers — as much as He seeks humanity’s comfort and salvation, which concerns their body and spirit.

What drew the attention of the Church Fathers to this miracle was the interest of the evangelist in revealing the life of spiritual fellowship in which the believer is supported by his brethren in Christ Jesus, while also supporting others so that everyone lives in perfect unity that is based on Christ, the cornerstone (Luke 5:17–22).

The four men carried the paralytic, and the Lord healed him because of their faith. St. Matthew the Evangelist says, “When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic … Son! Be of good cheer, your sins are forgiven you” (Matt. 9:2). How much are we in need to be carried by others and to carry others by our faith!

St. Ambrose says, “‘When He saw their faith’ [St. Luke 5:17], it says. Great is the Lord, Who through the merit of some forgives others, and while He proves some, excuses the faults of others. Why, O man, has your companion no power with you, when with the Lord a slave has the merit of intervention and the right of obtainment? O ye who judge, learn to excuse; O ye who are sick, learn to accomplish. If ye do not trust in the forgiveness of grave sinners, summon intercessors, summon the Church Who will pray for you, through regard for Whom the Lord forgives what He may refuse you..”¹⁰⁵⁶