DIVINE MEMORABILIA

Don't say you'll pray for me

If we are honest with ourselves, prayer as a practice has become something of a trite concept. Christians throw around that term so easily with tasteless phrases like "I'll be praying for you" and "I'll pray about that." But as soon as they walk away, the thought of actually bringing the request before our almighty God has slipped away like the froth on your morning coffee. Would it not be better to simply pray immediately than to make an empty promise?

It is indeed rare for me to actually tell someone that I'll be praying for them or that I will pray about this or that. I see no point in talking about prayer when prayer is what is needed to be done. Less rare is the instance of my asking, "Can I pray for you right now?"

Maybe part of this quirk is that I know I would be just as guilty as my fellow believers by allowing my mind to wander and forgetting to pray. If I merely plan on praying, then it's not going to happen. God is available to talk and listen 24/7. Might as well jump on it while I'm thinking about it, right? Perhaps that's just OCD-me trying to check it off the list, or perhaps there is something powerful about two believers spontaneously coming before an enormous God and imploring Him with our little words.

First Thessalonians 5:17 says to pray without ceasing. This implies an ongoing conversation with God—one that can happen anytime, anywhere, about anything. Prayer is not an appointment with God. It is an acknowledgement of His presence in all things everywhere and an invitation for Him to join the conversation. After all, He's standing there listening anyway. Why not let Him talk too?

Image Credit: Kersley Fitzgerald

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Published 6-21-13