Recently Monieca and I were eating dinner at a local restaurant when I overheard a conversation at a nearby booth. An older couple was eating when someone I assumed was a friend stopped by their booth to talk for a few minutes. During the conversation the woman shared with their friend some of her health issues and said, “I really need your prayers.” The friend promised to pray for her and their conversation continued for another minute or so until the friend left.
Most of us have had similar experiences. We’re talking with someone somewhere and they share a concern or need with us. We promise to pray for them and genuinely intend to keep our promise. Later we get busy and forget. Forget to pray and often even forget what the need was.
I’ve done it. You’ve probably done it. We don’t do it because we don’t care or we’re not sincere. We do it because “out of sight is out of mind.” Life gets busy and we get distracted.
How do we prevent “I’ll pray for you” from becoming a nice platitude – such as “How are you? I’m fine!” Let me make one simple suggestion.
Pray at the very moment you promise the person you will pray for them. You can do this either of two ways. One, you can pray silently as you continue the conversation. Two, you can pray audibly with the person right then and there.
In recent years I’ve started doing more of the second option. I did it this past Sunday morning when someone asked me to pray for them because they were witnessing to an old high school class mate. We stood in the worship center and as I placed my hand on his shoulder I prayed with him – out loud. It wasn’t a long prayer – about a minute.
Over the years I’ve learned that these brief pray encounters can be very meaningful for me and the person with whom I’m praying. I also believe prayer unleashes the power of heaven. Finally it keeps me from forgetting to pray for them because I’ve already done so.
A few days ago I came across an article on this very subject on the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s web site. The article was titled “‘Yeah, I’ll Pray For You Later’ – How To Avoid The Lie” and you can read it at this link. The author, a professor, encourages us to stop whatever we’re doing and pray with the person right then. He described one of the benefits this way: “I never lie to anyone when I commit to pray about a matter.”
I don’t do this every time someone mentions a need to me. I still sometimes forget to pray for someone. However, I’m not guilty of making “I’ll pray for you” a spiritual platitude as much as I used to be. Praying with people on the spot has become a blessing in my life. Based on the reactions I’ve gotten, it has been a blessing to many of them as well.
Try it – you might like it.
Pastor Steve Hogg
Lindsey Cordell says
We moved to Rock Hill a year ago and have yet to find a church home. Unfortunately, we’ve been so busy with family issues that we haven’t made it a priority. Recently, I have been looking for a nursery day school for my 2-year old granddaughter. I spoke with a lovely girl at the school and she told me all about your church. Finally, this morning I told my husband I would like to visit your church because our family is in jeopardy and we really need to get back to church.
I just read your blog on “I’ll Pray For You.” Wow… I do that all the time. But as I read, I realized that I have recently started praying for people on the spot (in my head) so that I’m not lying to them. I know if I don’t, I will never remember it later. Hearing your thoughts on this made me feel so much better. I wish I could remember to pray for everyone that asks/needs it every day, but frankly, I’d be praying night and day, never ceasing, as most people have some need. My prayers are almost night and day just for my own family.
We have five kids (all grown) and one granddaughter and I feel that we’ve lost them all. So getting back to church is a desperate need for us. We plan on being at the early service this coming Sunday (tomorrow) and look forward to it. My husband and I both grew up in the Church of Christ (my dad was actually a preacher when I was younger, then head of the Religion Dept. at the University of Georgia for years), so Baptist is a little different than what we’re used to but we are looking forward to visiting.
And, as always, please pray for me and my family.
Steve Hogg says
I look forward to meeting you.
Pastor Steve Hogg