Life is filled with crossroads. A few years ago, I was walking on a sidewalk in downtown Athens, Georgia and I came to an intersection. I pressed the button for the light to know that I was waiting on an opportunity to cross the street. Not long after I pressed that button, a gentleman from the other direction walked up and pressed a button to cross on the walk to the street that intersected. We stood there for an awkward moment, that seemed like an eternity, waiting for the lights to change. As we stood there gazing at the lights, the man waiting with me on the same corner asked, "How are you doing?" Usually I am that guy who asks that question and so I was a little irritated that he beat me to the punch. However, I had been through a rough day in church meetings, had visited a dying church member and family friend at the hospital and I really did not feel like sharing small talk that day. I certainly did not feel like offering the simple polite answer, "I'm good and how are you." Instead, I said to the man, "I am having a rough day and can't wait to get home." Now many people would be turned away by that answer because they might simply have no idea how to respond or because they were only trying to be friendly anyway. However, this man turned, looked at me, walked three steps toward me and stated, "Really sorry to hear that, tell me what has you upset." For five minutes we talked and then he offered to pray for me. We stood there on the busy street corner, two perfect strangers, yet brothers in Christ bowed in prayer.
Have you ever had someone tell you "I'm praying for you?" or "I will pray for you?" You may have shared a struggle with them and laid your heart out there on the line and they responded with, "Our thoughts and prayers are with you." At times it makes you wonder if they really are praying for you or if that is just the polite response they give to exit the conversation. No doubt, there are some circumstances that make prayer at that moment a bit awkward, but prayer is what is needed most rather than the promise of prayer. Maybe you have been afraid to stop and pray with someone on that street corner, in the grocery store or at the ball game, etc. Maybe you are truly praying for that person already, but there may be a unique opportunity at that intersection.
That day I was blessed immensely through this encounter with a man I had never met and have not seen since. He took time to stop in his path, drop whatever he was doing and pray with me. As that prayer was offered, I found great comfort and encouragement to finish the day and the week on a strong note. I felt like someone, God himself, cared enough for me to listen to my aching heart. Since that day, I decided to pray with people whenever the opportunity arrises and not just offer the promise of prayer at a later time.
When Jesus entered the Garden of Gethsemane for the last time, he did so to pray. He was at an intersection in His life and ministry and it was a rough one. He requested that his disciples "Pray that you may not enter into temptation." Jesus sought solitude with God, but also sought support from His disciples, from friends. Whenever, he returned from his time with God in prayer he found them sleeping. I wonder how often we have been asleep when we have been left with the mission of prayer?
Each day we are granted intersections to cross, and as we do, we may just intersect another's life too, if we are open to it. I am praying for you!
No comments:
Post a Comment