Share Your Prayers
A year ago, while walking the dog, the name of a colleague suddenly came to mind. Nothing specific, so I simply prayed she would feel God’s love. I went to work satisfied that I had been faithful to pray for someone God brought to mind.
However, her name wouldn’t leave my mind. I had done what I could, right? But it seemed God was inviting me to do more – to tell her I had prayed for her. Wait! What! I had wanted to leave it all quietly in my prayer time at home.
Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others. 1 Corinthians 10:24
See, I had recently asked God to help me think of others during my quiet time and not just focus on myself. He answered by calling names to my mind. I hadn’t thought that telling them may be an additional step God was asking me to take.
So, I went into Kathy’s shared office and asked if I could tell her something. I told her God had put her on my mind and I had prayed for her. I told her she was loved and known by God. She wrapped me in a hug and tears threatened to spill over as she shared that she and her husband were arguing over some big upcoming decisions. She shared that she felt such a sense of peace after we had talked. There was another woman in the office who said, “Hey, do you think God will ever put me on your mind? I’d love it.” We laughed and I said I’d keep an ear on it and let her know.
I’ve now prayed for a number of colleagues, friends, and neighbors and then told them about it afterwards. It’s been an amazing exercise of loving others and letting God pour out blessings.
So last week, Ally’s name came to mind – she was the other woman in the office a year earlier. So, I knocked on her office door and said, “Guess what? Your name popped into my head this morning and I asked God for peace, wisdom and strength for you.” Her mouth dropped open. She explained that she had lost a beloved grandmother and she was exhausted with grief. Additionally, that very morning she had felt overwhelmed about her next career steps. She asked me if God had said what would happen next, and I said no, I haven’t been called to prophecy but that I was sure that God loved her and knew her. He was just asking me to let her know He was present and paying attention. She whispered, “You know I’m not religious but …. that’s really lovely.” And then she hugged me.
She’s not a hugger. In that moment, God was such a blessing to her…..and to me. So please, when others are on your mind and you pray for them, let them know. Worry about how it will be received is only demonstrating concern for self, not others. Sharing is a beautiful way to demonstrate God’s love for others and plant seeds of faith.
