"I'll Be Praying For You"

A man in our church has just been diagnosed with inoperable cancer. I called his wife at home the other night and while talking to her, I asked if I could pray with her on the phone. She readily agreed.

When I finished, she asked if I'd call her husband at the hospital and pray with him, which I did.

You could tell that they both greatly appreciated it.

I got to thinking - we often tell people that we'll be praying for them, but how often do we let them hear us? I know a lot of people are uncomfortable praying in public - it merely takes experience to get comfortable with it, and you don't get experience, except by doing it.

So, in my weekly e-mail devotional this week, I sent the following "challenge" and "encouragement.'

Maybe this will help you, too.


“I’ll Be Praying for You”

Ever told someone, “I’ll be praying for you” or “I’ll put you on my prayer list”?

What about, “I’ll be thinking about you…” or (and I really hope not) “I’ll send ‘happy thoughts’ your way…”? (Sorry to tell you, but that won’t help a bit!)

If you’ve ever told someone, “I’ll be praying for you” then I’ve got a challenge for you - why not do it right then!

Instead of saying “I’ll be praying for you” say “Can I pray with you now?”

“Whoa,” you might say, “I can’t pray in public! I don’t know what to say.”

Why not? You’re just talking to God… about the person… for whom… you just told that you would! What’s the difference in doing that with them and doing it alone?

Try this - copy this prayer and put it in your purse or billfold and pull it out whenever you need it. You’ll be amazed at how much they appreciate it (and after a while, you won’t need a written prayer!)


Dear God, You know that I’m not real good at this, but I just want to thank you for allowing me to pray for __________.

God, we don’t always know how to pray, but then, we don’t have to; You alone are God. You know _________’s needs - the needs that are apparent, [name them if you want] and the needs that lie beneath the surface. And You know what will bring You Glory. We pray that You will bring those things together.

God, we just want to take this brief moment to share our friendship before You, and pray that You will bless that friendship, and our service to You.

In Jesus’ Name - Amen.

Now just think… wouldn’t you love for someone to pray that with you today?

I just did...

I prayed for you by your name, if I knew it; or by your e-mail address if I didn't - but rest assured, God knows your name.

I prayed for you, where you are at 6:30 this morning - it's Monday... that can be exciting or tough. Some of you are dealing with death in your family today, and some are facing extreme illness - either in yourself, or family or friends. I lift you up.

Many of you are caring for children, or parents, or more likely - both. I know from experience how difficult that can be. I pray for strength, and more importantly sometimes, wisdom - "just what in the world, God, do You want me to do here..."

I know, I've cried those very words.

I pray for pastors, pastor's wives, (or spouses) and church staff. I pray for teachers, staff and support personnel. I pray for students, employers, employees, the self-employed, and the un-employed. God is there.

And I pray for your homes. God knows your every need. I told a group last week, "Everybody thinks that everybody else has it 'all together'... I've got news for you - ain't none of us got it all together!"

Every single one of us feels alone at times; every single one of us is afraid at times; every single one of us needs God. And God created us to need each other.

I've prayed for you... you pray for one another - and don't be afraid to let them hear you pray...

Amen.

A Lovely Easter Service

It was a lovely Easter service.
The pews were packed to the brim.
The choir sounded oh, so lovely,
singing victory-claiming hymns.

The Easter lilies abounded
Their fragrance overflowing the room.
White adorned the pulpit.
No sign in this place of a tomb!

The children’s time was precious.
Those cute and adorable tykes!
Each in their Easter finest,
charming parents and grandparents, alike.

The minister’s smile was infectious.
His singing filled the air.
The sermon was brisk and uplifting,
a festive story to share.

There were even a couple of baptisms,
a profession of faith or two.
Re-affirmations by others,
pre-planned and according to cue.

Yes, a lovely Easter service
Then tell me why it’s true
That my heart feels oh, so heavy
And my soul feels oh, so blue.

I should be happy and joyous
to see such a church-filling crowd.
I should be uplifted and cheerful
Instead of ensconced in this shroud.

Then why is my spirit so burdened?
And why is my countenance sad?
And why does my heart beat faster?
Where comes this feeling of dread?

With shouts of loud Hosannas
The roar rises to a din.
And I seem to sense His teardrops
As He enters Jerusalem again

And instead of Easter it feels like
It’s Palm Sunday all over again.

God forgive me, but it feels like
It’s Palm Sunday…
all over…
again…

Oh Father, hear my humble cry. If I am wrong Lord, please, please, take this feeling away. I don’t like feeling like this. Is it just me, Lord? Why does my heart feel so heavy within my chest? Why do I feel the burning in the back of my throat? Why am I near tears?

Oh God! I just sense such an air of frivolity - and I just can’t put my finger on why. Am I just too serious, too much of the time? Am I being overdramatic? Should I just lighten up? Am I (as Joe and I often joke) just being a “fuddy duddy?”

There’s that “two-sided coin” again, Lord… Am I being judgmental or discerning?

LORD hear my humble cry. Please answer me…

I beg in Your Son’s Holy and Precious Name - Amen…



©Betty J. Newman April 8, 2007

The Conseqence of Our Decisions

Oh Father, I do not like what I have to do… I must oppose our pastor…

Oh! Standing in opposition is not the problem - I’ve stood in opposition before; when I believed their theology was wrong, or worse, they had no theology… But, this is different. I genuinely love [this young man] and believe that You are using him mightily!

I’ve never felt Your Spirit more than I have in our worship services. He truly has a gift, and I believe, a heart for You. But this is not theology - this is a matter of “administration.”

Oh God! How I have wrestled with this problem. You have heard my many cries, and every time my “head” convinces me that I should just go along, my heart cries out, “I just cannot!” And so… I cannot…

He believes he is doing Your will. And so do I believe I am. Father, we can’t both be right, nor both wrong. I beg of You Father, don’t let me go against Your will. Open my eyes so that I can see the big picture - or at least if it isn’t Your will to show me the picture, then please, comfort my soul and give me faith.

The only thing that brings peace to my heart is to acknowledge that I must oppose him.

It’s ironic, Lord. The greatest “outward” peace (to agree) brings the greatest inner turmoil - and the greatest “inner” peace (to oppose) results in outer turmoil. How... can... that be?

Lord, I’ve heard the story of Martin Luther; of how he was called to recant his so-called “heresy.” I heard that he came up before the council and was ready to recant, but instead asked for one more night to pray about it.

I’ve heard that prayer read - and one can hear so clearly this one man’s struggle, and of his growing faith in his belief and stand. Then I know Lord, as he stood the next day he said, “I cannot recant…”

And neither can I.

But You heard, Lord. [This young man] used this very same example and said to me, “I cannot recant…”

And so now, we both must deal with the consequence of our decisions.

May You have mercy on our souls…

In Jesus’ Name - Amen