August 19, 2013
-
The Promise of Prayer
The Promise Of Prayer
This past weekend my beloved wife was delivered some absolutely heartbreaking news. The husband of one of her friends died unexpectedly from a heart attack after coming home from work on Friday. The news was a shock to us both. He was relatively young. I'd guess around 40, if that. And he seemed to be the picture of health. He leaves behind a loving wife he's known for more than 20 years, and four beautiful children ranging in age from 7 years to 7 months. I can only imagine the devastation they are experiencing.
I will say that it's been more than a little unsettling to acknowledge all of the similarities between our two families. Not the least being the fact that he was an African American man around my age, with four children whose ages mirror nearly exactly the ages of our own four youngest. Our wives were planning to get our two families together so that he and I would finally get a chance to meet. *sigh*
Naturally, the desire to pray is stirred in many of us. We want to pray that she, her children and his extended family might find comfort and consolation in this difficult time. And so, I did. I stopped what I was doing, and I prayed for them.
Of course, the topic of prayer got me to wondering... how many times have we said to someone, "I will pray for you" only to find that we never set aside the time to actually pray? I'm not afraid to admit that I've done it. And I am pretty sure that this is true for a good number of other people as well. Don't get me wrong though. I'm not saying we were misleading, that we had a lack of good intentions or that perhaps our statement was insincere. But the reality is that circumstances are often cited as the reason for not praying in that moment, when in truth, that moment may be the only one we'll have.
It's very sobering to think about the frailty of life and the idea that a mere second can separate life from death. So when it comes to prayer, don't let your gesture become an empty promise or just some nice thing to say to someone who's hurting. Instead, let it motivate you to action in the moment, that we might take advantage of every moment we are fortunate enough to be given.
Comments (13)
Moments. I learned the lesson the second my Dad died unexpectedly in the front yard, too. He was a little older than your wife's friend, he'd just turned 51 three days prior. And a second changed everything with finality. I'm sorry for the hurt everyone is going through. I'm sorry. I won't say I understand it, everyone grieves differently the way they must, the best way they can in their own moments. Don't let her grieve alone. That was one of the worst things. Everyone was there for us... until about a week later. At that point, others began moving on. We felt forgotten. And our grief had barely begun registering while others felt too uncomfortable to be in our presence. Death can be an event, you see, if you aren't personally involved.
http://normality-dreamer.xanga.com/773685802/prayer-vs-a-thought/
So sad. I agree 100%. After forgetting to pray, I've started just stopping what I'm doing right that moment, and then praying right then. I had a friend do that for me once, and it kind of caught me off guard. I don't ask for prayer a lot, but as soon as I told her she did it right then, with me. It stuck, and now I do it. Even if it's just me, reading that they need prayer, from my computer screen far away. I pray now that God would grant that sweet family the peace that passes all understanding.
@PrincessPowers - You're absolutely right. I've never heard it put that way... that death is just an event. I suppose it's easy to dismiss someone's grief when it's not personally attached to your own emotional well-being.@normality_dreamer - Wow... I actually like the way you said it even better! @aSeriesofFortunateEvents - Yeah, it's amazing how transforming that can be. Thank you for the prayers.
So sorry to hear this... =/
If this man was a believer, he is home in Heaven, which is glorious, but yes, devestating and sad at the same time for those that remain Earthbound and miss him.Your wife's friend and family will indeed be prayed for. May they take comfort in the Lord, and the support of friends and others willing to offer an ear, a hand, love and prayer.
Such a tragedy for a young family. I shall include them in my prayers. I am not the most religious person, but given my Catholic upbringing, I have to believe that somewhere deep down inside, my faith sustains me. Not sure why, but it just feels like it does. Doesn't mean I don't despair, as I'm sure this mother might, but I do hope her faith will also sustain her.
Very sad!
I just prayed for your friends. I can't promise I will remember to pray tomorrow, but I did today.
sorry for that loss
I'm not a blogger, but I felt the need to comment on this post. First sorry for you loss and anyone effected in it, but you are right we don't make time to uplift other people. I am going through some life changing things on my end and I know people have told me they were praying for me and that I was in their thoughts and I feel since others have done it for me the least I can do is do it for someone else, but I WILL PRAY FOR YOU. I'm learning God teaches us in painful situations and when things are the hardest or seem the worst that's when we supposed to come to him.
That was so sad. Prayers serve as our direct communication to God but it is sometimes true that people often forget to pray because of their busy schedule. It is our responsibility to pray for ourselves but it is better if we also pray for our loved ones and other people who needs guidance
That is one four-letter word I do not use dear Riis.