In a message a few weeks back, I heard Pastor Ray talk about how easy it is for people to tell someone, "I'll pray for you." And if we are honest with ourselves, we can probably recall times that we have told someone that when they tell us of a struggle that they are going through. One thing that I have learned from Ray, in my 5 years of being at High Rock, is that he usually doesn't say that he will pray for you. He takes you by the hand and prays for you right then...and it doesn't matter where you are.
I have seen so many people moved by this simple act of compassion; praying in the moment. I have tried to follow this example that as been set before me. It was a difficult at first, but before too long I found myself praying for people in their seat before, or after a service; praying for someone in the lobby of the church; in the parking lot by their car; on the curb; in my office; on the phone; in the ER; out-patient area, and the list gets longer. I have discovered that most people want to ask you to pray for them, and then expect you to say that you will and that is the end of the conversation. The real blessing for us, as believers, is when we stop what we are doing and pray. For that moment, their request has taken center-stage and they have become the most important thought on our mind.
Two nights ago I prayed for a married couple. The husband has been sick for a while and has gotten to the point that he was wanting his wife to wait on him hand and foot; 24-7. The wife was doing all that she could, but it was beginning to strain the relationship. A wedge was being driven between them, and it was starting to affect the entire family. I was called to come and try to "talk some sense into him." I sat on the side of his bed.....and we talked for about 30 minutes about all that was going on with him and his wife; the stress and tension. Then I felt God tell me to pray for them. I fought that one. I really didn't want to do this, but He wouldn't let up. So, I gave in. This was not going to be one of those, "I'll pray for you" and let it go moments.
I took hold of their hands......
.......and I prayed for my parents. It was the first time that I had prayed with my parents like that. I had always felt that it would be awkward to me, but I had such a peace......even as I listened to my mama fighting back tears, and felt my daddy squeezing my hand.
If I had put that moment off......I would have missed an incredible blessing.
3 comments:
Wow Ronnie. What a moving post. Thank you for sharing. Knowing that many parents tend to look at their kids and have a hard time accepting their credibility when it comes to sharing what you feel will help, I'm sure this was not an easy thing for you. Your parents are blessed to have you as their child.
Rays message moved me that day for two reasons. One, during the worship service, Ray noticed that I was in a lot of pain. He came to check on me and then, in the moment, prayed for God to have the Holy Spirit come upon me, to act miraculously, and to give me the strength to deal. I was moved so much that he cared for me in such a way. I cried and didn't give a flying flip who was around or saw. I was moved beyond words.
Then, during the service, when Ray mentioned that sometimes you tell a person you'll pray for them, only for life to get in the way and the intent get lost (he didn't word it exactly that way), I thought about my fibromyalgia support group and my friends on facebook. I don't get out much these days and internet communication really is about the scope of my social life (and church of course). I thought of the times I'd told them I would pray for them, and fully intended to during my prayer time, but then it would slip my mind. I decided then and there that I was going to pray for them on the spot. Now, when I feel that compulsion to pray, I do so then and there on the spot, and then let them know....not that I will pray for them...but that I have already and will continue to do so!
Thanks again for your post.
That is powerful. The first time I prayed with one of my parents like that was just a couple of months ago. It was very strange because I had, like you, never done it before. But it just came out so naturally. It is quite a moment.
We were asked in Grief Recovery through HRCC if someone had made a positive impression on us. The answers were yes. Then we were asked if we told them so and some of the answers were a bashful no. We were then taught how we can sometimes be incomplete with strangers and to think about how easy it is to be incomplete with others and reminded we may not have a chance to say the kind things while they are alive so we can do it right when we think of it and not figure we can just do it later. I am very grateful for Grief Recovery and HRCC sponsoring it. Thank you.
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