J and I have been listening to a couple Dallas Willard messages lately (Big fan of his. Check out his list of definitions here). Among the many journal-and-extra-contemplation-worthy things he says, he made a statement about prayer that I think will stick with me as long as I live. Paraphrasing….

When you love someone, you pray for them. You pray for them because you want great, strong, helpful, big things for them, things that you can’t give or do, but God can.

Challenging and interesting, wouldn’t you agree?

I, sadly, confess that whenever I say “Praying for you” to someone, I 90% of the time will pray right then, but I 60% of the time won’t pray again after that. A little sad, isn’t it. But hearing that prayer is an act of love, stronger than even visible, tangible affection toward them, sparks new energy.

I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had no where else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day. Abraham Lincoln

There are situations and people in my life that I love dearly, sometimes so much I ache. Sometimes so much I fear losing them. Sometimes so much my heart is burdened. But now I see there is somewhere I can put all of that love, all of that caring… into prayer. In my conversing with God, I can intercede for them. I can ask the Lord to strengthen, bless, comfort, teach, and guide in ways I obviously can’t. That automatically puts me at peace, knowing that I am loving them best by talking to the Lord on their behalf. 

I love that! Thank you, God, for such a gift.

Have you learned anything new about prayer lately?