In the Christian church, how can I pray for you is such a common question that is always used. There have been so many times I have asked this question. Majority fo the time I get a response. There have been times I’ve gotten a response and forgot their response I few hours later. I know in my life that sometimes this question can become just a question because it’s the Christian thing to do.
Last week this question carried a lot of weight in my life, except I wasn’t the person asking the question. I went with my friend Garrett to visit our friend Kevin in jail. Garrett started talking to Kevin first and while Garrett was talking to Kevin I was thinking what I could say that will encourage him and just other stuff to help him not think about his situation. Then I was like I can pray for him before I get done talking to him. In my mind, I was thinking that’s what I will do.
It’s my turn to talk to him and the conversation started. I started encouraging him like I had planned to in my head. Upon talking to him for about five minutes the conversation took another a turn in another direction. In the middle of the conversation, Kevin asked me, “How can I pray for you?” I know this may seem like it’s nothing, but to me it meant a lot. After he asked, I paused for a second before I responded because I was shocked. I wasn’t expecting him to ask me to that. Then after I responded he prayed for me right then. Now my mind is completely blown at this point. I was thinking to myself I’m supposed to be the person praying for him, he is in a worse situation than I am. I’m not in jail. I have my freedom.
Kevin’s act of selflessness not only humbled me, but convicted me too. His act of selflessness really showed a picture of the church. It showed how Christ wants us to be in spite of whatever I am going through. I started thinking of how I act when I’m in a bad situation. When I’m struggling or down, my life is all about me. I’m seeking prayer or someone to talk to about my problem so I can feel better. Kevin changed my perspective and my thought process that day. I know from now on, when I’m going through a situation I still want to be about others and stop always thinking about me and take time to always be about others. Christ showed the perfect example of this while on the cross. Through all the pain and agony He was suffering from, He still took time to pray for the people. He said, "Father have mercy on them, for they know not what they do. I also see it in Paul's life. Even when he was in prison he took time to write letters and pray for the people. I'm forever grateful for Kevin and the Lord teaching me that I can grow from.
