How many times have you been in a situation where someone talks about a problem or issue, and you “do the right thing,” and tell them you will pray for them?
Do you actually pray for them, or do you just say you will because it is a nice thing to say?
Oh, I’m not saying your intentions are not good, but do you follow through? Or is the phrase, “I will pray for you,” just that… a phrase?
I have certainly been guilty of tossing around that phrase. In my line of work as the wife of a pastor, it is expected of me to be reverent and prayerful (I am so not!). In fact, I should probably be praying all the time (I don’t).
But, I should not commit to praying for someone if I do not intend to follow through. None of us should.
So, how do we keep our verbal commitment to pray for that person or situation?
The best way I have found is when you make that commitment to pray, do it right then. If you are face-to-face with someone, stop and pray for them right there. (If it embarrasses you to pray out loud, then take a moment to pray silently.)
If you are texting, tweeting, skyping, emailing, whatever, stop what you are doing and pray a silent (or out loud) prayer for the person/situation.
This is the easiest way to honor your commitment to pray, because it is not only important to lift others up in prayer, but it is essential that we honor our commitments.
Design by: Amy Loves It! *Photo by: Markus Merz*
I’m as guilty of this as the next guy, or girl. I usually always pray right then or right after I finish talking to the person.
However, my problem is that I end up feeling guilty because so many times the individual’s need is a situation that needs “prayer without ceasing” until they have found victory.
For this reason, I also ask God to remind me of that person during the week so that I don’t forget to pray.
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..I’m Thankful For… =-.
Great post Amy. I’ve had to make a point to do this too. I don’t want my commitments to people to be empty.
.-= Nicki at Domestic Cents´s last blog ..Homemade Dora Backpack =-.
Amy, I think we are all guilty of this. Thank you for your honesty and for the inspiration to do “it”igth
Most often I pause and pray right then. Because if I don’t, I might not.
I wonder if people laugh at my emails that say I will pray for them because the next sentence is usually, “I just did.”
It’s just easier to stop right then and really pray silently than to wait… and potentially be distracted.
There are requests, though, that I scribble on my to do list or write in my calendar for a specific date or time.
There are other things I pray for on an ongoing basis and I have a few reminders for those. For example, I often wear a bracelet to remind me to pray for a friend’s nephew and I’m trying to get in the habit of praying for my husband every time I touch my wedding ring.
.-= Amy @ MomsToolbox´s last blog ..SOAP: Seeking His guidance in my to-do list =-.
Amy, over the past few weeks I’d noticed myself doing this, forgetting to pray for someone, after I told them I would. So I began doing just what you said and praying right then. Especially when I am online – I make it a point to STOP what I am doing and say a quick prayer right then and there. I’m so scatterbrained that I will forget otherwise, even though I have the best intentions! Thanks for this post. You always seem to have perfect timing for whatever is going on in my life. How in the world do you do that woman?!! 🙂
You know, I truly try not to say it unless I know that I can commit to praying for them throughout their challenge.
I do want to and try to carry others’ burdens, but I also don’t want to get caught up in the cliche of saying what sounds good either.
Great post, good point, makes ya think 🙂
A very important point. I often say I will pray for you, and always do right then. BUT, I really should pray more than just the once. I try to but often get busy and it slips my mind. My prayer journal helps. I’ve got a post coming up on that!
.-= Jenn @ Beautiful Calling´s last blog ..Good Food, Great Memories: Home Made Pizza Crust =-.
As I read this post.. I was happy to see you recommend what I practice. I also pray right then. I find by doing this I often recall them more frequently, and pray at night for them as well. It may be a brief prayer at first, but I keep them more at heart.
Great post!
.-= Tiffany´s last blog ..Free Portrait Canvas a $55 Value! =-.
I totally agree! Whenever I tell someone online that I will pray for them, I always just stop right then and do it.
I have been doing this for a few years now and I feel much better about it. I try to stop and say “Let’s pray right now.” That makes me feel better and I think it makes the person I am praying for really feel better about asking me to pray for them in the future. I mean, just apply the “Golden Rule” – Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. When I ask for prayer, I really want prayer, so does the person asking me, so I should take that time and honor their reaching out to me.
Thanks for this!
Dian
.-= Dian´s last blog ..New Cellfire Coupons Ready! =-.