Is Praying for You a Quickie Response?
Sometimes we REALLY mean it when we say those words to others and we do pray for them. But let’s be real. Oftentimes, we say: “Praying for you” and never give the “intended” a second thought. We want to be that one who goes to the throne for others, but life happens or our well-intended thoughts to pray go astray.
And not everyone appreciates it when we say: “I’ll be praying for you”. To someone who emailed me to stop praying for him, I replied in an email back to him. He didn’t believe in God OR prayer….because he said neither worked for him and doubted prayer worked for anyone. I replied: “To the contrary, prayers do work. I am a widow and were it not for my prayers and the prayers of others, I wouldn’t be thriving as I am today. The calm and great peace from the outset of my husband’s illness to his passing and to the strength and peace I continue to live in today, I wouldn’t be here, or if I were, I’d be a most miserable human being. Prayers do work, but when we don’t get the answer we want, often we conclude that there is no God or that God could care less. I discovered long ago that God isn’t a divine genie in a lamp. And He isn’t a holy bellhop who jumps at our beck and call. God operates by His perfect will and our prayers are always subject to it. Many times, I’ve prayed and didn’t get the answer I wanted. He maybe responded with a “no or not now”, but knowing Him as my Heavenly Father, I know He knows what’s best for me. I have come to realize how God uses my pain and struggles to fashion me into being a more compassionate friend to others. So that’s why we reach out to you……….etc.”
I started thinking even more about those words “I’ll pray for you”. While it seemed to offend this person or even Christ followers who are disappointed and hurting, those words are intended for good, but they may sound like a cliché and an empty promise. Broken relationships, financial difficulties, or the recent loss of a loved one, can cause even the most faithful to question if God loves them or if He even notices their circumstance. Prayer is an invitation for us to share the Father’s heart with His children. He desires for His children to feel loved, cared for and encouraged. He makes Himself real for those who feel His touch through us.
When we offer to pray for someone, let’s mean it. In hope and faith, we remember, “The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.” (James 5:16). Even if it’s a one-minute prayer, God can take it and move a moment filled with discomfort to a place of renewed trust in God’s comfort, love, and healing ways.
Whether or not we speak the words: “praying for you”, let’s remember that prayer is a powerful tool, and it actually can bring peace and relief to a hurting heart. I know it from firsthand experience. While we must consider how others feel about the phrase, it shouldn’t stop us from lifting our worries, thoughts, and concerns for one another to our loving Father.
By the way….my friends, I’m praying for you. I mean it. Right now, I’m praying “Lord, please bless, console, comfort, restore, heal, and renew my dear friends today. May they sense your loving arms around them. May they know how much You love them — all the way to the cross — and back. Amen.”