Earlier today, I was reading a Facebook status about someone who is experiencing a difficult time. I prayed for the person and then only seconds later my mind went to a place of worry. I despise that place. I hate when I visit there.
I loathe that my anxious flesh has a tendency to steal my focus and make things about me. Fear provokes questions that invade my thoughts. My fear has a habit of mingling together with anxiety. Panic is birthed. It’s ugly.
I asked God, “What if this type of tragedy happens to me, or even worse to someone I love?” In my heart, I felt His soft, still voice respond with a question, “Who do you trust?”
These types of moments cause me to remember that trusting in God doesn’t mean devastating circumstances won’t happen to me. It does mean I must focus on the fact that regardless of what happens, I belong to Him. For better or worse He will take care of me.
After that gentle reminder from God, I began thinking of how sometimes worry interrupts my prayer conversations with the Father. I started thinking how important it is to wage a spiritual war against worry and fear. Worry can become a huge distraction. I’m not about to allow anything to impede my relationship with Christ.
When we see that others are battling difficult situations, it becomes our responsibility, and privilege, to pray for those who need it. We need to stay focused, having the heart of a servant on a mission to intercede for a precious life. Every person walking this earth needs prayer. As Christians, when we can’t find the words to petition the Father for our own lives, we depend on our fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord to lift us up. It’s a responsibility that should not be taken lightly. And just think of all the people we cross paths with on a regular basis who don’t pray, and have no idea where to start. Is anyone praying for them?
I often pray silently in my mind for people who I see at the grocery store, doctor’s office, or anywhere I might be spending time. Prayer is something we can do for someone else regardless of where we are. It doesn’t have to be long and drawn out. We don’t even have to know the name of the person, or even what they need prayer for in their life. God already knows.
Today, I want to encourage you to pray with focus. Push worry, fear, anxiety, and any other distractions away. Pray for someone that you know who needs it. Or, pray for whomever you might come across in this great big world. You might be the only one who is praying for them.
Prayer is a way to serve one another.
Romans 12:10-13
Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
Are you focused when you pray?
