Pray for people or with people?

I don’t know how many times I have reminded myself to pray for other people. And not to sound like I’m bragging, but I cannot tell you the number of times I have prayed for others. At home, at work, out at stores, at church and on the streets, I have prayed. I have prayed for those I know and those I do not know; those who are saved and those who are not. As much as I have prayed for people in this fashion, I know I need to be more conscious of this and spend more time praying for others.

Praying for people is a great thing!

However, God has been speaking to me more and more about praying with people. It’s quite a bit different to pray with someone then to pray for someone. It’s a lot easier to pray for someone. For me, I am still a little self-conscious about sharing my faith. It’s still a little difficult for me to ask those outside of the church if I can pray for them. I even have trouble sharing with my family. I’m being completely honest about this.

When you feel that burden to pray for someone, it can be easy to say to yourself, “Well, I’ll just pray for her when I get home.” I have said that to myself a thousand times. I want to be more interactive with people, and I know as I push myself out of my comfort zone for the glory of God, God will move. He will be faithful to touch the lives of those I pray with and to touch my life as well. The more I act in obedience, the easier it will be.

Don’t pass up the opportunity to pray with someone when you can!

In Christ,
Clint Herman