Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7, NIV)
During my sophomore year in college, the new guy on the men’s golf team invited us all to church to see his roommate play in the ensemble. Little did we know that two of the guys on the men’s team would meet their future brides at that church and that my faith would grow in ways I could’ve never imagined. It was a vastly different worship experience that anything I’d ever experienced as a kid. I moved back to town fifteen years later, and my husband and I attend that same church now!
The power of an invite!
One of the most impactful practices of this new church was the altar workers who appeared at the end of a service to pray with whomever felt moved to walk down the aisle. That’s where I first started praying with perfect strangers, and it was a powerful experience.
I recently went down to that same altar and melted in this woman’s arms as I laid my burdens on her heart.
It’s spelled out clearly for us in Galatians 6:2, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
What if our immediate response to someone sharing a prayer request or heartbreak wasn’t to say, “I’ll pray for you [later]” but rather to stop and pray with them right there on the 18th tee, in the restaurant, or in the parking lot?This practice doesn’t have to be limited to those who work at the altar. We can all pray for perfect strangers (and even those we know well) at any time. It’s not unusual for friends and new acquaintances alike to share a personal struggle or concern during a round of golf. After all, it’s four-plus hours of time. In fact, some folks might feel more comfortable opening up to someone they might not ever see again.
Imagine what kind of impact it would have if, after the round, you offered to pray for that person on the spot? This kind of response isn’t reserved for teachers and preachers. Fear not! The Holy Spirit will speak through us, providing not only peace but also a fresh perspective for that person and maybe even a solution.
What a beautiful demonstration of Christ’s love to share the burden of a stranger and lift them up to the Lord!
In John 13, Jesus shares with his disciples a radical way to love, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” John 13:34-35, NIV).
What if our immediate response to someone sharing a prayer request or heartbreak wasn’t to say, “I’ll pray for you [later]” but rather to stop and pray with them right there on the 18th tee, in the restaurant, or in the parking lot?
What if “I’m praying for you” turned into, “Can I pray for you right now?”
—
Beth Ann Nichols
January 13, 2022
Copyright 2022 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at Links Players
Photo by Tutye from istock.