Praying With Strangers
Posted on 06. Apr, 2010 by Angie Wyatt in Blog
(1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)
Loading ...Do you feel strange praying with strangers? Growing Up Schuller shaped my prayer life in a unique way. As a kid, everywhere I’d go with my dad, from Costco to the local pizzeria, strangers would greet us. They simply wanted to greet the television pastor they loved. In many instances, they would petition my dad to remember them in prayer. As a result, I’ve prayed more often with strangers than with friends.
Prayer Lesson #1: If someone asks for prayer, stop and pray. My dad was convicted that he could only guarantee his promise to pray if he prayed on the spot. So we stopped shopping or eating, and we prayed. We prayed for everything from horrific tragedies to the family goldfish. I’ve prayed in parking lots, shopping malls and tourist sites in foreign countries. Because if someone asks for prayer, we pray on the spot.
Prayer Lesson #2: Prayer is an act of love, not an act of counseling. Praying on the spot always seems to catch people off guard. They can’t believe we’d take the time to pray on the spot, let alone in public. Sometimes people would cry or ask for advice, but my dad knew better than to advise a stranger. How can you know someone’s life story in only a few short minutes? Instead, we would simply love people through our prayers. Then, they felt worthy of our time and attention. If you want people to know that you value them (not their donations to your church, or their prestige in the community), then simply pray.
Recently, my PK (preacher’s kid) training kicked-in, when a clerk at Walmart asked me for prayer. He didn’t ask because of my family lineage. He had no idea of my maiden name. In our small talk, he learned that I was a Christian. So, he asked for prayer. I suggested that we pray right on the spot. He agreed. I prayed for his family, his financial security and his missionary work in the Philippines. As we prayed, he dropped his head and tightly closed his eyes. But, not me, I didn’t close my eyes.
Prayer Lesson #3: Pray with your eyes open. Why close your eyes in public? I can’t imagine a scenario where that would prove helpful. Even if the person you’re praying with is not a threat, you’re still closing your eyes to others around you. God will hear your prayers even if your eyes are open. Simply put, praying with your eyes open is wise.
When is the last time a stranger asked you for prayer? Have you ever asked a stranger for prayer? Tell us your story.
Kristin Donohue
13. Jul, 2010
I LOVE praying for and with strangers…almost more than people I know!
Anonymous
13. Jul, 2010
Angie,
Great blog!
For me, prayer is a special request or task that I mostly reserve for private. I have had only a few prayer request for others in or at a public place. For me, I really don’t perceive it as complete strangers…I welcome with a smile and extend my friendship & fellowship.
The prayer itself, I do leave it up to the specific situation that I may be in…example: work or other public functions. It’s a little awkward and may not be in the right special moment. So, I would rather, extend my friendship and write down the person’s name, e-mail address and type of prayer request. It gives me a chance to reflect, review and to even follow up with them. Maybe, even invite them to a dinner and talk…
Developing a possible friend, christian network and fellowship. I always follow up with the person, but then again my prayer request are few compared to many others..lol
I do pray for people in blogs and prayer blogs. We should never be afraid to pray, listen, care or develop an extended invitation.
You made an interesting observation regarding keeping the eyes open or shut. I guess that is a personal choice. For me, it was more about bowing my head and shutting my eyes in His honor. So, I try to incorporate that in my personal life. If I am in public at my dinner table, I will always say my private prayer.
Very thought provoking and insightful blog-
Thank you Angie!
Al
Rose
13. Jul, 2010
I like to pray, but mainly with people I know and are receptive for prayers. – Blessings, Rose
Jan-Michael
13. Jul, 2010
Praying with persons I have newly met, often means prayer at an exceptional time; a joyous or sad time perhaps, a Christian religious celebration or remembrance such as Easter, Christmas or a local festive time such as Thanksgiving. In those times, the new voices or the sense of new Christian friends nearby and praying together, seems to elevate my experience of Christ’s prescence, for me.
I have attended non-Christian religious events such as Bar Mitzvahs for Jewish friends and as we pray to God together it also is an especially up-lifting time for me. Again a new experience for me and others too with my being new to their prayer-time.
Finally, there are times prayer takes place with new acquaintences, some who are not used to Church or prayer with others or prayers are said with children present, some who are discovering something new in such experience. Then I sense the oft’times wonder that the new experince is opening to that new friend or young child.
I recently had my first occasion to ask a “hurting” person if it would be okay if I prayed for them right then and it was, for me, something wonderful and not awkward or difficult as I thought it might be. The prayer came easily as the right words seemed to just come to my lips I felt. The other person, flushed in the cheeks and with wet eyes though not wet with tears but seemingly just calmer, was wonderful for me. To experience their sense of comfort in our sharing of prayer to HIM made me feel HIS prescence more than ever.
It was an incredible feeling, so wonderful!
HE Loves and is present always
Jan-Michael
Angie
13. Jul, 2010
J-M, I’m so excited that you had your first occasion for an on-the-spot prayer! Thanks for sharing this experience with us. It’s just so rewarding to see how people respond.
Al
13. Jul, 2010
Jan-Michael,
I loved you story…great & touching moments. Great to see…Keep up the inspired path of prayers…and your great work!
Al
Rose
13. Jul, 2010
Personal first prayer experiences from about a year ago. I was at dinner with a friend in Beverly Hills, haven’t seen her for 10 years. Before dinner she took my hand and asked if she could pray. Yes, I answered. This wonderful and heartfelt prayer seems never to end. Wow! Could give some words back. Second experience. After a short being together with someone else I have had to say goodbye in the car and she prayed for me and I for her. A wow again! Never before and after I have made such wonderful experiences. I love it! – Blessings, Rose
Angie
13. Jul, 2010
Rose, How wonderful that you’ve been the recipient of unexpected prayer. May the love to continue!
Angie
Rose
13. Jul, 2010
Prayers connect people to another and with God and Jesus. – Blessings Rose
cysradill
13. Jul, 2010
Sorry Angie I only got the picture on praying with strangers. Sounds like a great blog. And I just love to pray by myself with or for other people. I always get a very warm content feeling. God Bless Cysradill
cysradill
13. Jul, 2010
I always like to close my eyes and bow my head and visulize that the Lord is listening to my prayer. If it is for someone I visulize them and their problems and say there name . I have look to the heavens when I am talking about someone who has gone to be with the Lord.Sometimes I just get the feeling I want to talk to the Lord and read my bible it is a good calming feeling.
God Bless Everyone. Cysradill
Steffie
13. Jul, 2010
Dear Angie,
I like to write you an email with a personal question. Where can I send it?
Best wishes Steffie
Barbie
13. Jul, 2010
This is Good Friday night in
Australia. I hope and pray that
everybody who reads this has a
lovely, happy Easter. Our dog
has been sick this last week and
needed an operation. I have been going to the same vet for about 9 years. After the consultation was finished I had some Chocolate rabbits to
give the Vet and his staff
including his wife. His wife goes to an Orthodox church. The
consultation for our sick dog
ended up with the wife, the vet
and me talking about what the
true meaning of Easter was.
It was quite an interesting
conversation. God bless you all
Barbie M Brisbane Australia