Everyone needs prayer.
Being the mother of four boys who also has a career, I can always use prayer.
In fact, when people say to me, “I wish I could do something nice for you,” I tell them they can n pray.
I think that we often go through our days so robotic, getting every task done and all the phone calls made, that we miss the opportunities to pray for one another.
I am pointing the finger at myself when I make that statement. I can have the best intentions, and then get caught up in my world and forget about those around me who may be in need.
Of course we all find the urge to pray when there is a catastrophe, like on 9-11 or the recent tsunami. But why do we need extraordinary circumstances to make us stop and appreciate someone enough to send up a word of prayer?
I promised myself that, from now on, when someone (and many do, because of my column) stops me and mentions a hardship they are going through, I will pray for them right there on the spot.
This has proven quite difficult, when I am approached by someone as I am just about to hop in my car or take my pre-schooler to the grocery store restroom.
So far, I have kept my promise and taken the time to show genuine concern for others.
I have since found that not always are the people going to come up to me; sometimes, I have to find the person in need.
The other day, I went to my third grader’s class after dropping off my pre-schooler for his half-day class.
It is my practice to stop by my third grader’s empty classroom and kneel and pray over his desk. No long drawn out prayer, just a quick mention, and then out the door I go.
This particular day, the custodian was there mopping the floor. I tried not to disturb him as I prayed and headed out the door.
Before I reached the end of the classroom, the gentleman spoke to me.
“I think that is wonderful that you pray for your son everyday. I have been watching you,” he quietly announced.
He went on to tell me how his two grown sons are struggling and how he worried about them.
I felt an urging deep down in my gut to ask this man if I could pray for him and his children. But what would he think? After all, he did not ask for prayer. Would I be to forward in my gesture?
Before I thought myself out of it, I reached out and starting praying for that gentleman.
His eyes welled up with tears as he managed to choke out a “thank you.” He turned and quietly began mopping again.
I slipped out the door, masking my own tears.
We all need prayer. We just have to take the time.
Thanks for sharing.