On-The-Spot Praying

Taken from the Live Like You Are Dying Daily Readings – Week 2; Day 4

One of the most powerful ways we can “speak sweeter” is praying not only for people but with them.  There is nothing quite like the gentle strength of a person praying over you.

Have you ever had someone stop everything and pray for you?  You were talking with them on the phone or standing in the parking lot having a conversation and that person sensed something in your voice that said you were particularly worried or stressed, so he or she put a hand on your shoulder and said, “Would you mind if I prayed for you right now?”  Suddenly you felt the tension go out of your body, you were flooded with warmth, and the words from that person’s mouth flowed like cool water over your thirsty soul.  “May I pray for you?” may be some of the sweetest words to come out of someone’s mouth.  It’s not only the prayer; it’s the fact that someone cares enough to notice a need and do something about it.

Some Christians have been known to say this to perfect strangers when sensing someone in great distress.  Few people, regardless of their beliefs, will turn down prayer especially in a time of need.

We need to be quicker on the draw when it comes to praying for each other.  We need to get more in the habit of praying on the spot for people instead of saying we will pray for them at some time in the future.  The latter is a statement of intention, and we all know what can happen to our best intentions.  Pray on the spot, because otherwise you might forget; and pray on the spot, because your verbal prayer can do for someone in and of itself.  If you’re on the Internet, type your prayer and send it.

My mother touched hundreds of people’s lives from her breakfast room.  She was what some people call a “prayer warrior” and she has a team of other warriors she would call up in severe cases.  People would call her and she would always pray for them over the phone.  You wouldn’t believe the number of people who came forward at her memorial service to remember what those prayers meant to them.

Prayer becomes more essential the nearer we come to the end.  Here’s what Peter said about it:  “The end of all things is near.  Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray” (1 Peter 4:7).  Of all the things he could have said given that the end of near, prayer seems the least likely.  Yet it is the first thing he mentions.  And notice he doesn’t say to pray, but to be continually in a state of mind where you are ready to pray.  When you are ready to pray, you are more likely to be on the spot with your prayers.  When you’re ready to pray, you’ll find there are people who need it all around you.

Reflection Questions:
1.  Make a list of people you would like to pray for and begin to look for an opportunity to pray for them in person.

2.  It’s hard to speak ill of someone or gossip about them when you are praying for them.  Is there anyone in your life for whom prayer would sweeten the way you speak about them?

3.  Read Ephesians 1:14-19 which is a prayer by the Apostle Paul.  Notice how different his prayer is than our prayers.  Make a list of things he prays for and start praying the same things for your friends.