I want to talk about something essential that I picked up from a woman I know who is special to me; more than I’m sure she knows. She is my Godfather’s wife. We don’t talk or see each other as often as we’d like, but whenever we do, the air is full of encouragement, love, and genuineness. She is always listening, just listening without judgement and is sincerely interested in what you have to say. I respect this about her because not everyone is selfless enough to put themselves or even their personal feelings aside in order to be of assistance to another.

Anyway, as I said we don’t communicate frequently, but we text here and there to check in and say hello. One day, she sent me a text asking, “How can I pray for you?”

My instant thought was how thoughtful this was of her to think of me and offer to pray, with intention and personal detail.

It wasn’t until the second time she sent this same text to me on a different occasion, when I felt like I really needed a few prayers, that it really sunk in. It dawned on me that this is one of the most genuine ways to show compassion for another person. What better way to show your love and effort to make the life of another person easier, or better?

What better way to get the ball rolling in helping those we love, to grow? When you pray specifically, and according to what you truly desire or need, you let God know you know he is real. You are showing effort and faith by taking the extra steps to be efficient.

By checking in on those you love and asking, “How can I pray for you?”, you show a level of compassion that becomes contagious and you have the power to bring hope to someone who may be losing it. You represent the art of giving, by putting your needs and wants aside to uplift another.

Although intentions while praying for others is not to receive anything, our God is so good that he rewards us anyway, even for showing compassion. I remind folks constantly, that the Lord has created us in his image and he wants us to treat our brothers and sisters as he treats us.

(See 2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

I just wanted to spread the love and encourage you to ask your own friends, family, co-workers, and even strangers how you can pray for them. Practicing these selfless acts of love causes you to grow in ways that you never knew you could.

I wanted to give a special Thank You to my Godfather’s wife, who continues to demonstrate leadership qualities, inspiring people such as myself to not only get closer to God, but to do that little bit extra when praying for others. Ask them what they need because it also gets THEM thinking and praying for themselves.

If you would like, you can leave comments below or email me and tell me how I can pray for you!