“I’ll pray for you…” It comes off our lips so easily doesn’t it? It takes very little thought whatsoever to utter such words. Someone is ill, loses a loved one, or has a big job interview and we say it without even thinking. But do we always follow through?
Confession: I’ve said it and not followed through. I had good intentions, though. I really did. I just got sidetracked and forgot to write it down. Even more disturbingly, I got caught up in a movie, fell asleep before it was over, and actually never said a prayer before going to bed.
God be thanked that many have stood in my shoes. God be thanked that when I’ve talked to friends and expressed guilt over my failings, many have said, “I’ve done the same thing, Doug.” Ahhhhh. But the shame remains and empathy doesn’t justify it.
What’s the solution to this problem? Hmmmmm. How about praying with that person at that very moment?
The most powerful moments I’ve ever experienced where when I was prayed over by others, or when I prayed over other people.
Last year I attended a retreat with seven other ministers and their wives. Four couples conducted the retreat for our group. The moments we spent in prayer have yet to be duplicated. In three days, 24 people were able to create a culture of unconditional love. Churches spend years trying to do this, and I watched it happen in three days. It was amazing, and to a large extent the powerful moments in prayer made it so.
Last year, I attended LCU’s Moser Ministry Conference on Social Justice. At the close of the conference, representatives and social workers from Lubbock community service groups were prayed over by conference attendees. I remember placing my arm around the representative from the food bank as Jim Beck prayed over them all. It was an immensely powerful moment.
We didn’t just say to those who are working in the trenches: “I’ll pray for you.” We didn’t say: “We appreciate what you do and will add you to our prayer list.” We prayed for them, but we prayed for them with them. We followed through. We didn’t leave up to our memories.
I’m done with…”I’ll pray for you” and “we’ll put your on our prayer list.” I found myself doing it just this week. At least I’ve followed through of late, though. But no more! If someone needs prayer, they are going to get it right then, no matter where and no matter when.
