Have you ever prayed for people as you drove? Stood in line? Got passed on the shoulder? Maybe experienced someone honking their horn or washing your windows at a red light? Have you ever thought about praying for them?
My husband phoned to tell me this story today, "I was driving and I saw a woman, with her life in her car and U-haul. Stuffed animals on the dash, dog on the front seat, and she was on the move. I thought about her, and said a prayer for her to have a safe journey and that she finds what she needs when she gets to there. I wonder if someone prayed for you, dear, when you ran away to start your life again? Maybe we need to pray more for the people we pass by in life."
Maybe we need to pray more for the people we pass by in life.
The frustrated bus driver. The horn honking road rager. The slow checker at the express lane. The server who needs to ask again what you ordered. The red faced Mama and the screaming tired babe. The sad boy watching Daddy go to work. The dog owner putting up posters for their lost friend. The pastor with dwindling flock and confidence. For the police officer on their way to a call. For the farmer in the field.
Who did you pass by today? Perhaps they were an angel, they could have been a brother or sister in Christ. They could have been at the well looking for water that soothes a soul's thirst.
Instead of watching the world go by, what if we prayed it along the way?
Radical grace. Loving grace. Children of a loving, living God can we do any thing less?
This is so good. Just as Jesus said to love your neighbor as yourself... Praying for others as we would want them to pray for us. Who knows how much God could do with a silent prayer for a stranger :)
ReplyDeleteA beautiful thought, and yes, I have done this! While sitting in front of the high school waiting for the kids to pass in the crosswalk, I prayed God's protection over them all and asked Him to provide them with a loving home to go to at the end of the day, and to help them avoid evil temptations.
ReplyDeleteRenee - thanks so much for coming by. You are so right, I wonder what would happen if we all prayed for the strangers in our lives? Miracles! Bright blessings.
ReplyDeleteDebbie - how wonderful that you do that for young people! They need our prayers so much it seems. Thanks for stopping by! Bright blessings.
ReplyDeleteGood points! I do it often but this morning i had to MAKE myself as I pulled up to the right of a car to turn right at a stop light and she went NUTS because I blocked her view for five seconds. My first instinct was not nice and then I had to pray. She was probably late for work and I just frustrated her. I love that your hubby is praying for others too! So sweet!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Mel
Please feel free to stop by: Trailing After God
Great post. I always pray when I see an accident, but I confess not usually in other situations. This will cause me to rethink that strategy :) I remember a friend once conveying a story about being in a check out line where the girl at the register seemed really flustered. My friend quietly said to her - is everything okay? Can I pray for you. The woman almost burst into tears and concerns for her son came tumbling out. Right there in the check out line, my friend prayed for that girl who was incredibly grateful that a stranger took the time to notice and care.
ReplyDeleteMel - I confess often my first instinct is not to pray when faced with someone who is angry like that, but I'm working on it! Thanks for coming by!
ReplyDeleteToni - thank you for sharing that story. We don't know who God has put along our path that may need prayer, we just need to pray. Love that you came by and shared.
Bright blessings!
I do this often. And try to encourage my kids to do the same. maybe a kid at school or the lady walking her dog, the mailman trudging in the rain or cold, a car broke down on the side of the road...anyone..everyone. Who does't need a little prayer? Great post!
ReplyDeleteI encourage my son to do this as well, we often pray for people we pass on our travels, even the trucks that pass our house while we are in the yard. Thanks for sharing that you encourage your children to do the same. And thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteBright blessings!
Good morning, my friend. I've received 3 blog awards this week, and I'm passing them all on to you for the amazing way you speak to the hearts of your readers. Hop on over to the "cafe" for a virtual hug, and God Bless!!!
ReplyDeleteDebbie - I'm so honoured! I'll be over to see what this is all about!
ReplyDelete