Prayer that Brings Hope June 21, 2013
This series of devotionals is focused on how we can bring hope to others in times of crisis. As I was preparing to recommend practical ways to bring hope, and help to others I decided to email my prayer partners for suggestions. I have a wonderful team who pray for Discerning Hearts Ministry regularly. They sent me some great ideas, many of which reinforced the importance of prayer. I had planned to mention prayer in passing, but when my team provided so many unique ways to pray, and to give other spiritual help, I decided prayer was too important to just touch on.
Prayer is conversation between God and one of His children. God gave us prayer so that we can bring Him our thoughts, adoration, and our concerns. He wants us to talk to Him. And, if we take the time to sit and to listen, He wants to talk to us.
“Be still and know…” Psalm 46:10 (NIV)
When disaster strikes, prayer is often the first thing we turn to. This is as it should be. We should “storm the gates of heaven” with our prayers on behalf of those who are suffering. Prayer should be our “First Response”. Our prayers are essential, and God does listen. The New Testament writer, James, declares that:
“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16 (NIV)
I have often said; “I’ll be praying for you” in an effort to express my love and concern for a friend or family member.
I have said these words with sincerity and with full intention of doing just that; however, once I move on to other activities and responsibilities, I forget to pray.
Quite a while ago God spoke to me about this practice, and now when I promise to pray for someone, I pray in that moment. I pray a silent, heartfelt prayer.
My prayer partners gave many great prayer suggestions. I think you will find these ideas will bring hope to those who are hurting. For the most part, I am going to give you the ideas in their own words.
1. “Pray with someone right on the phone in the moment of crisis.” Often they don't have long to talk. Ask them if you can pray with them. If they give you permission “quickly state the need in prayer and then state a characteristic of God that relates to the situation and then ask God to work. I think part of the prayer is to ask for peace, wisdom, comfort or whatever else is needed. This allows the person to know you heard their need and then transfers their mind to how big God is in the situation.”
2. ”One of the things that I have found helpful and that inspires hope is when people listen to me, and then pray for me, right there and then. I have found that when I do the same, people do have more hope, even if the problem seems insurmountable. Somehow just having someone stop what they’re doing to pray for you gives comfort. I know that they can’t take on my problem, nor can I take on someone else’s hurt (although at significant times it seems that that is what has happened).”
3. “The first chapter of James is one of the few passages of anything that I have been able to memorize, and God’s Spirit has had me pray that over people many a time. ‘Consider it pure joy…’ The chapter talks about persevering, which to me is a way of saying, ‘Hold on. Keep hoping.’ ”
4. “I love when someone actually types out the prayer they prayed for me that day, and sends it to me by email. It means so much that people are truly praying, not just saying they are!”
Prepare your own heart in prayer before you pray for those in need. Ask God for guidance. Perhaps you will want to make a list of topics you want to cover, or verses you want to use. If there are specific things you want to mention, have them written down so you don’t forget.
My team also provided several other inspirational ideas that will give Hope for Hurting Hearts.
1. “Send a verse for the day by email so that they know someone is thinking about them every day.”
2. Send a “Thinking of You” card or short hand written note once a week for several weeks.
3. “Worshiping with others gives me hope. Singing, praying, reading, and listening with people who are worshiping the Lord really helps me to concentrate on the words and builds my hope and faith in the One who is able to do exceedingly above all that I ask or imagine.” Invite your friend to worship with you at your church. Attending their own church during a difficult time may be too hard for them. Or perhaps, offer to sit with them at their own church so they aren’t alone.
4. “…a friend lent me some small laminated cards on a ring with scripture verses of encouragement, God's faithfulness and assurance of His presence. These were great as I was able to read them while waiting for surgery to start and while in hospital when one doesn't have the strength or energy to get out your Bible. These favorite verses have encouraged me over and over as I have recorded them in my journal.”
There are people in our lives every day who need our prayers and hope for the future. Listen to that still small voice that prompts you to pray or connect with your friend in a personal way. Keep these ideas handy, and use them often.
Prayer is conversation between God and one of His children. God gave us prayer so that we can bring Him our thoughts, adoration, and our concerns. He wants us to talk to Him. And, if we take the time to sit and to listen, He wants to talk to us.
“Be still and know…” Psalm 46:10 (NIV)
When disaster strikes, prayer is often the first thing we turn to. This is as it should be. We should “storm the gates of heaven” with our prayers on behalf of those who are suffering. Prayer should be our “First Response”. Our prayers are essential, and God does listen. The New Testament writer, James, declares that:
“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16 (NIV)
I have often said; “I’ll be praying for you” in an effort to express my love and concern for a friend or family member.
I have said these words with sincerity and with full intention of doing just that; however, once I move on to other activities and responsibilities, I forget to pray.
Quite a while ago God spoke to me about this practice, and now when I promise to pray for someone, I pray in that moment. I pray a silent, heartfelt prayer.
My prayer partners gave many great prayer suggestions. I think you will find these ideas will bring hope to those who are hurting. For the most part, I am going to give you the ideas in their own words.
1. “Pray with someone right on the phone in the moment of crisis.” Often they don't have long to talk. Ask them if you can pray with them. If they give you permission “quickly state the need in prayer and then state a characteristic of God that relates to the situation and then ask God to work. I think part of the prayer is to ask for peace, wisdom, comfort or whatever else is needed. This allows the person to know you heard their need and then transfers their mind to how big God is in the situation.”
2. ”One of the things that I have found helpful and that inspires hope is when people listen to me, and then pray for me, right there and then. I have found that when I do the same, people do have more hope, even if the problem seems insurmountable. Somehow just having someone stop what they’re doing to pray for you gives comfort. I know that they can’t take on my problem, nor can I take on someone else’s hurt (although at significant times it seems that that is what has happened).”
3. “The first chapter of James is one of the few passages of anything that I have been able to memorize, and God’s Spirit has had me pray that over people many a time. ‘Consider it pure joy…’ The chapter talks about persevering, which to me is a way of saying, ‘Hold on. Keep hoping.’ ”
4. “I love when someone actually types out the prayer they prayed for me that day, and sends it to me by email. It means so much that people are truly praying, not just saying they are!”
Prepare your own heart in prayer before you pray for those in need. Ask God for guidance. Perhaps you will want to make a list of topics you want to cover, or verses you want to use. If there are specific things you want to mention, have them written down so you don’t forget.
My team also provided several other inspirational ideas that will give Hope for Hurting Hearts.
1. “Send a verse for the day by email so that they know someone is thinking about them every day.”
2. Send a “Thinking of You” card or short hand written note once a week for several weeks.
3. “Worshiping with others gives me hope. Singing, praying, reading, and listening with people who are worshiping the Lord really helps me to concentrate on the words and builds my hope and faith in the One who is able to do exceedingly above all that I ask or imagine.” Invite your friend to worship with you at your church. Attending their own church during a difficult time may be too hard for them. Or perhaps, offer to sit with them at their own church so they aren’t alone.
4. “…a friend lent me some small laminated cards on a ring with scripture verses of encouragement, God's faithfulness and assurance of His presence. These were great as I was able to read them while waiting for surgery to start and while in hospital when one doesn't have the strength or energy to get out your Bible. These favorite verses have encouraged me over and over as I have recorded them in my journal.”
There are people in our lives every day who need our prayers and hope for the future. Listen to that still small voice that prompts you to pray or connect with your friend in a personal way. Keep these ideas handy, and use them often.