“Can I pray for you…right now?”
There is great power when we pray. We intercede for others, and we pray for ourselves, and there is great power.
When someone is standing or sitting in front of me, whether going through a trauma or full of joy, I look for the moment to say, “Can I pray for you…right now?” The Spirit pours an immediacy into me, causing me to connect with the power of prayer. I don’t want to hesitate at all.
Many people are terrified by the thought of speaking their prayers aloud. Do you know why that fear exists? Because you know who you’re talking to! You believe in the tender intimacy of a loving God, and you know the power of the One who authored all of creation. You know the truth of bringing a petition before this God who is actually listening, and before the final High Priest, Jesus Christ, who intercedes for us. So awe and trembling might be part of the deal. And yet, to be honest, praying out loud in front of another human leaves you vulnerable to some sort of perceived judgement, as if you might “do it the wrong way.” To that I say, “Oh heck, stumble along and do it anyway!”
When I ask someone, “Can I pray for you…right now?” I’ve never had anyone say “No,” even a professed non-believer. But here’s the thing: the day I do have someone say “No,” I’m still going to pray for them, in my heart and my soul. Try and stop me.