Thursday, December 11, 2008

Just Do It

When I was a young girl, my dad used to call me “scatter-brained.” Sadly, it’s true. My thoughts flit about quite randomly, and I forget things far too often. Gladly, I can blame Dad, because he’s the one who gave me the self-fulfilling prophecy! (Just kidding, Dad.)

Some things one just should not forget--like all the times I’ve told people “I’ll pray for you” and then forgotten to do so. I have felt so ashamed when I’ve seen someone I previously promised to pray for and am reminded that I never prayed.

But then I met someone a few years ago, and every time we talked she interspersed our conversations with prayers. She never said, “Oh, I’ll pray about that”; she just prayed right then and there! At first it surprised me--I'd never known anyone who prayed so much!--but I loved being covered in that kind of prayer and decided that, considering my short attention span, it was a practice I should definitely imitate.

I’ve changed my ways. Not all of the time — sometimes I still get shy — but most of the time instead of promising to pray, I just do it.

It’s important for us to pray not just for one another but with one another. When someone puts an arm around me or takes my hands and fills my mind and spirit with encouragement from God’s Word and comfort from their love and concern, it’s far more uplifting than what might be (at least in my case!) an idle promise to pray.

So the next time you talk to someone who needs prayer, don’t say you’ll pray for them – just do it!

Galatians 6:2; Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

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