5 Reasons to Pray on the Spot
A few months ago, I ran into an old friend as he was leaving a restaurant. This guy is older . . . a mentor to many . . . a giant of a Jesus-follower. Instead of just shaking my hand, he pulled me in so my ear could hear his voice. He wrapped one arm around me (so I couldn’t get away), and prayed for me. Then and there. It was short, relevant, personal and loving. From what he said, it was obvious He and God talk a lot. I couldn’t quite figure out why the encounter struck with me so . . . until the other day.
My wife and daughter have the empathy strength. We were talking about empathy and how hard it is to listen to people’s problems, to ‘feel their pain’ but then move back into your own life without getting emotionally burdened and bogged down with things you can’t do anything about. How do you end the conversation after someone has poured out their heart?
Of course Regi, the man with all the answers, has this one. “You end the conversation by asking them if you can pray for them . . . right then and there . . . on the spot!” I said. “You’re delegating the outcome to God. He’s got the whole word in His hands. Knowing He’s been called into the situation, you can move back into your life with peace.” Preach on brother!
As soon as the words came out of my mouth, it hit me. “You’re not doing that!” The Still Small Voice. Two conversations immediately played back in my head, both less than 24 hours old. I had listened, empathized, offered a little counsel, and hung up the phone. I never asked if I could pray for either of these two hurting guys ‘in the moment’. I thought back to my friend’s spontaneous prayer for me in the restaurant . . . how his prayer and his faith had resonated so strongly through such a brief encounter.
I quickly came up 5 reasons to pray for people on the spot.
1. A Witness – It lets others see our hearts and our faith. It gives them ‘permission’ to be more courageous and public with their faith.
2. An Encouragement – Whoever you’re praying for instantly knows you care about them and their problems. Even non-believers will let you pray for them.
3. Clarification – You’ll find yourself praying more relevant, God-inspired prayers. You’re more likely to pray in God’s will when the person you’re praying for is standing there beside you.
4. An Act Of Obedience – Praying isn’t a human idea. God initiates prayer. He’s the source of the ‘unction’ to talk to Him about something. When we have the idea of praying, our ‘training’ is to do it later, in private, in church, etc. When we ignore all that and pray immediately, it’s an act of obedience. It takes courage, but God’s blessing often waits on the other side of courageous obedience.
5. Results – Praying in obedience to His unction to pray, praying boldly right then and there . . . with the person beside you or on the phone . . . might inspire God to do something special. It’s totally up to Him, but there’s Scriptural evidence that God changes His mind sometimes. Regardless of how God responds, both you and the person who’s prayed for might move on with a little lighter load.
I’m committed to praying more spontaneously with people who are hurting.
Question: Will you join me? Will you set aside your image management, fear, ego, lack of faith . . . whatever it is and just pray for your friend then and there? Tell us here.
P.S. Next post will explore the reasons we don’t do this. Stay tuned!
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Responses (6)
Thank you, Regi. That same guy just prayed for me, my wife and our very pregnant daughter yesterday. Very meaningful!
Thanks Regi – I’ll add a personal “#6” for me…
6. It Ensures I Actually Pray – Sometimes I will tell people that I’ll pray for them and don’t. If I pray for them right then, it ensures that I actually DO pray!
Amen Alan.
Had done this for years then stopped doing it but because of this post the Lord had reminded me to once again engage in this practice …thank you
Love it! A good reminder that praying for someone is much more meaningful that saying, “I’ll pray for you.” Like Alan, I’ve been guilty of saying I’d pray for someone and then forgetting. By praying on the spot, there is no need to remember to do it later on 🙂
Some of the most meaningful prayers I’ve ever had prayed over me have been on the spot prayers and I think God every time someone blesses me that way. (Even if it ends up causing a little conviction for me….)