Today’s catch phrase is:
Pray with people on the spot.
Praying out loud used to be way out of my comfort zone. Then I went to college and got used to doing it in my dorm room. And then I met my husband and prayer became part of our daily life. But incorporating prayer into ministry?
It has come a bit more slowly. I actually quite enjoy praying with other women in a group, but in the past few years I’ve taken prayer to a different level and have begun praying for people right in the moment when they are sharing a need. It’s actually one of those ‘no brainers,’ yet we forget to do it more often than we’d like to admit!
Sometimes, of course, situations have time constraints or are not conducive to praying on the spot. But most of the time, it is the perfect opportunity to bear another’s burden in a practical way.
I have been amazed at how praying out loud with someone who is hurting can open doors of ministry that wouldn’t otherwise be opened. Sure, it’s pretty personal and can be awkward at times {depending on the person’s response}, but the blessings that come afterward are limitless. By the way, that uncomfortable feeling you get right before you pray? It’s the struggle of the flesh and the Spirit. The Spirit prompts, and the flesh shrinks back. Just push through that and DO it. God will enable you with grace, the right words, and joy afterwards!
I usually say something like, “I’m so glad you shared that with me. Can I pray with you right now?” And I have never {yet} had someone say ‘no.’
So the basic challenge for today is this: Start replacing “I’ll be praying for you” with “Can I pray with you right now?” and see what happens!
If you want to take it to another level, try praying for someone over the phone. Personally, phone prayers make me more nervous, but that’s just because I’m not really a talk-on-the-phone type person. My husband, however, is completely comfortable praying over the phone with people and he does it all the time. Just find what works for you.
And do it. Fewer promises. More sincere connections.
God will work! And you’ll get to share in the answer when it comes.
It’s incredibly rewarding, so
Pray with people on the spot.
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” Ephesians 6:18
Let’s Chat: Is praying aloud for/with others easy or difficult for you? Is it a regular part of your ministry to others? What blessings have you seen as a result of ‘on the spot’ prayer?
Thank you for this challenge. I have always prayed for my church ladies and their requests when I am alone with the Lord or in our prayer groups but I have not prayed in the moment with our ladies. What a wonderful way to bring each other and ours needs immediately to our Lord. I will take the challenge of praying in the moment with others.
Jane, a pastor’s wife
Jane, I can say with assurance that you will be blessed by it! Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know that you are taking the challenge. 🙂 God bless you!
Thanks for the suggestion & post! I have had that happen to me but just haven’t thought to do it myself. It was a blessing when the person prayed for me on the spot so now I need to follow that example. I usually pray silently as soon as I’m asked to pray so I don’t forget. I will take the challenge too!
(((Hugs))) & prayers for you!
Melanie
Melanie, I know it will bless you to do it with others! And, I’ve found that when I pray with someone right away, it keeps their need on my heart longer and I remember to follow up and ask them if they’ve seen God answer it yet, etc. It opens the door for further spiritual conversation. Praying for you, too!
Thank you Leah! I do pray personally for people but praying with them “in the moment” is a GREAT idea and definitely a tool I would like to implement. I am not the most “outgoing” pastor’s wife ever but I know that God wants me to give my “shyness” over to HIM and start being more vocal and proactive especially with “my ladies”
Jennifer, I’m not outgoing either….I’m a true introvert who has learned how to be social when I need to be. 🙂 I force myself to do uncomfortable things often, and I’m amazed at how God enables me. In this area of praying in the moment, the Spirit prompts and the flesh resists, yet when we push through God works and afterwards there is so much joy! It also opens the door to go back and ask them if they’ve seen God answer, etc. Praying for you!
Hi Leah,
I am a Pastors wife as well. Wednesday night after church I have a quick ladies prayer time…This Wed. I was going to talk about praying over the phone and praying RIGHT away… SO AWESOME that your article was exactly that : ) Looking forward to prayer time and also sharing you article with the ladys – Great minds think alike : ) haha
Thank you for ministering and sharing your heart…
DeAna
DeAna, that is so neat! I hope it is a blessing to your ladies that that they will catch the vision to do this with each other. Thank you for sharing that God has been working the same thing in your heart!
Thank you for this reminder, Leah!
Glad it was an encouragement to you! Hope we’ll get a chance to do this with each other in a few weeks. 🙂
[…] 31 Days of Fishbowl Grace: PRAY {Day 1} […]
I have found it to be a powerful connection point with people. Early in ministry I watched my mentor praying for ladies on the spot and she encouraged us to do the same. Often I find the response to be one of pleasant suprise and gratefulness from the one asking for prayer – it speaks to them right then in a way that a promise of prayer can not. Wonderful Post Leah!
Prayer is a big part of my life. I have found, when someone calls for prayer, I find it very easy to say “lets pray now” and I start praying for them. I have never had a negative reaction. I have took it a further step. I have a group of ladies High school thru 30’s and we text teach other with a verse each one of us found to start day with. This also a time we share prayer requests and praise reports. I have also text prayer in response to a need or e mailed a prayer. just typing it out as I address the lord with the need.
YES. Love this. More sincere connections – absolutely. Definitely. And I SO. identified with this:
“By the way, that uncomfortable feeling you get right before you pray? It’s the struggle of the flesh and the Spirit. The Spirit prompts, and the flesh shrinks back. Just push through that and DO it.”
Yup. Get that. Been there. Still there sometimes. But I’m learning. 🙂
Enjoying getting to know you too, friend. 🙂 xo