"I'll be praying for you"
Something we, as Christians, say all too often. How often do we actually pray for those we say we will? I am the most guilty at this. It's something I have struggled with my entire {adult} life. In college (a private Christian college) it was a must. A lot of times someone going through a rough time tells you in confidence of things, you say you'll pray, a week goes by, you see them, you remember to pray then. Of course, then, you become very skeptical when someone tells you "I'll be praying for you".
About six months ago, the bible study I attend got on the subject of prayer. A wonderful woman of God, whom I admire greatly, said that she was always the same way. She decided she was going to change that. It has completely changed my prayer life! She said that when someone would ask for prayer, or she knew they needed prayer she decided she would pray for them verbally and on the spot. In doing this, it became a reminder to her to pray for those people and if she happened to forget through the week, she had already done it, so no guilt was to be had for not remembering.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions
with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this
in mind, be alert and always keep on praying
for all the saints.
I am not one who enjoys praying aloud. Usually if someone else offers (like at dinner, S) I am more than happy to let them. I always feel that I will say the wrong things, or say things wrong. I worry that people will judge the way I pray. I've learned to do it anyway! I do my best to ask if I can pray with someone at that moment. I still have times when I don't feel adequite enough to pray with that person, and I still fight it, and then, later, while alone, I feel that pang of knowing I didn't practice what God is teaching me to do.
About a year ago I was reading through Matthew and realized how selfish I tend to pray. It hit me so hard when, while preaching the "Sermon on the Mount" Jesus tells me specifically how to pray! Duh! Something I can quote without looking and I don't know what it says!?!?!
"Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be your name,
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts,
as we have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one."
Matthew 6.9-13
Wow! Talk about a reality check! The Spirit quickened within me: don't just go to your Maker with all your wants and request! Go to Him with thanksgiving and praise for who He is! The way I see it is this: I don't want people to just come to me only when they want something, I want to have a relationship with them. Our Father wants the same of us! Does he care about our requests? YES. But he knows these things already! He wants to have that relationship with us!
but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God. And the peace of God,
which transends all understanding, will guard
your hearts and your mainds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4.6-7
I don't always say the right things. I don't always say things right. I do know that putting into practice what our loving Maker requests of us creates a lifestyle. While I fail all too often, I strive to live a life that is holy and pleasing to God. I strive to live a
life of prayer.
Prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan. ~ John Bunyan
