prayer

Our church has a "prayer corner" where anyone can go after the service to be prayed for. I have volunteered from time to time to stand back there and pray with people who come. There hasn't been much response, and sometimes I stand there all by myself. Sometimes one of the other volunteers asks to sit and pray a bit when no one else comes.

But today two people came back, both with heavy burdens on their hearts. I felt a little insufficient. I faltered and fumbled with the words. I hurt for their pain, but felt so unable to help. One woman sobbed as I prayed about her problem. It was sobering. As each one walked away, I wished I could do more.

I sense now what a great responsibility it is to lift people and their struggles to God. They make themselves vulnerable and you have a chance to help ease their hurt or calm their fears. I don't completely understand prayer; but today it seemed a sacred thing to go before God on behalf of another. I am burdened to keep praying for them. I feel the need to check in with them later in the week.

I had not realized before that volunteering for this prayer corner had ongoing ramifications beyond the ten minutes or so after the service during which I physically fill that space. But somehow now I see that my care for these people should last beyond the few minutes that we shared in prayer today.

Praying with somebody is such an intimate act. I wonder now that we do it so frequently and so flippantly. Why doesn't it fill us with more awe and reverence? What does it actually accomplish? What do I do now?

I certainly need to learn more about it. I definitely want to do it better.