Why People Pray

Why do people pray? 

The reasons are many.

There is the strength and endurance that comes from the rock solid belief that prayer works.

But there is also the way prayer makes us, the ones praying, feel.  Like we are doing something -- when we are blessed as being present in someone else's life, and find ourselves with nothing else to offer.

There are times that prayer is requested, sometimes begged, of us. We do it to honor that person and to lighten their load in any way that we can, when we are humbly asked to participate in their life. What greater honor is there than to be called in as a part of someone's life, in such a trusting and intimate way, with the strong conviction from them that we can help.

Prayer changes those that do it, and those that request it. Prayer makes us a participant in another being's walk on this planet, prayer changes our heart toward those we pray for, prayer puts us shoulder to shoulder, step to step, with someone on this part of their journey they've now entered.

Prayer offers solace, helping the one reaching out asking it of us to be able to close their eyes and feel what it's like knowing many, many  hearts are praying along with them.

We are united, we whisper their names and lift up their burden, distributing the weight of this moment in their life among all of us, the ones giving words to their pain. 

I am requesting prayers from you today.

There are many things I keep private. But this one is too heavy for me and my family to raise up in our own hearts alone.

My nephew, my sister's son, is going to begin his chemotherapy for a cancer that has returned.

We beat it with a course of treatments 3 years ago, and we believe we can beat it again.

We stand an even better chance of the same successful outcome this time: I've assured my sister of this.

I told her I was calling in the biggest army I've ever had.

And that's where all of you come in.

Thank you.
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