The Importance of Authentically Praying for Others

Are You Following Through When You Say You Will Pray For Others?

When you tell someone “Praying for you,”  do you actually pray for them? It may feel like the right thing to say or type under a sad or tragic post, but do you follow through?

I realized some time ago that I was not. Often when a friend or family member expressed grief, financial challenges,  relationship issues, or identified symptoms of depression and anxiety- my automatic response would be to say or text “praying for you.

I might even say a quick, “God help them,” then move on with my day. Now I realize that expressing sympathy, without any tangible follow through is not beneficial for the person in need of spiritual support.

We have our work to do here on Earth, such as offering help with concrete tasks, being present to listen to the person in need, checking in on them. We also support God with his work to support them.

Pray for them.

Pray.  For. Them. 

Pray for healing, pray for discernment,  pray for joy in their lives. Ask God to give give you clarity on how to support them and ask God to guide them in building themselves back up. Pray for Peace in their lives. Don’t just say or type that you will pray for them. They may need for you to actually pray for them.

God asks that we pray for them, just as you hope they would pray for you during your time of need.

Take care!

~Val

Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Matthew 22:36-40