Praying For Others

Through all of the trials we’ve been facing lately, the Lord has really spoken to my heart regarding praying for others. Sometimes we become so engrossed in our own burdens of this world, that we forget that the smiling faces of those around us are actually hiding sorrows of their own. We are so quick to share our problems, and ask everyone around us to pray for our situation without even giving a thought as to what may be troubling that very person before us. I am so guilty of this, as I have asked for prayer so much lately. I’m not saying it’s wrong to ask for prayer, not at all, but my confession is that before now I never even wondered what was going on in my friends world that may be deeply troubling her. I never stopped to ask anyone what I could pray for them for.

So, I believe the Lord has used this time in my life to make me realize that I need to be more prayerful of the affairs of my friends and those around me. When my husband broke his leg and lost his job, we were really in a tight spot. I felt so burdened at times. But then when I would hear from others, I realized that so many other people have been, or are going through similar, and even much worse things than this and I haven’t even stopped to ask them how I could pray for their situation. For example, I have a close friend seriously contemplating divorcing her husband. How burdened she must feel. Another stay-at-home mom friend has been abandoned by her husband, left to raise her three small children on her own after having to file for bankruptcy and losing everything they owned. Another friend of mine recently got married, just to find out that for the entire next year she will be without her husband as he fights across seas. I am sure that these things weigh heavily on the hearts of my friends. These are BIG burdens. Huge. I am so ashamed of myself for not being a better friend and praying for them more fervently. Sure, I’ve listened to their stories, shared my sympathy, and said something like, “Oh, I’ll pray for you,” and I do, but at the end of the day, it is my own struggles that I think about and cry over. How very selfish of me.

This is just my truth. But I’ve decided that from now on I will be better about asking others what I can pray for them today. Everybody has a struggle in their life. Everybody has worries and burdens. We need to stop being so overwhelmed with our own situation, and open our eyes to the troubles of those around us. So the next time you are talking with somebody in your life, remember to ask them, “How can I pray for you today?” Maybe if we all start praying for each other, we will find the answers to our own prayers much sooner.