Focused On Others
From New Life Community Church:
I have not been very good at this evangelism stuff. I never have. I am shy. I like people. I just don’t know what to say to them. So asking me to talk to people, especially strangers, is hard.
So this is what I am doing. In the seminar, Randy said we should pray behind people’s backs. That’s what I am doing. I am praying for the people who cut me off in traffic. I am praying for their safety. I am praying for gardeners I see in my neighborhood. I pray that they can make it financially in this place that is so expensive to live. I am praying for people I see waiting for the bus. I imagine they are trying to get to work, or back to their homes. I pray for their forbearance, and endurance, especially in all this heat this summer. I pray for the checker at the grocery store. I pray for the old man down the street who is constantly sweeping his sidewalk. I pray that they all find some hope, and purpose in this life of ours.
I don’t know if this really counts as evangelism. But what this has made me do, is become more focused on other people. I am not so selfish and self-centered. I think that is good.
July 18th, 2008 · 2 Comments
Categories: OA Stories
Dave Woolsey said
am July 18 2008 @ 11:15 pm
Thanks Randy for giving legitimacy to behind the back prayers. The comments triggered several thoughts. Specific prayer for others helps us focus outward and often enables us to see specific answers. As pointed out, good comes from these efforts whether they’re called evangelism or not and we find ourselves positioned to touch others in the name of the Lord.
Several years ago I decided that when I just missed a light while driving that I would spend that “first at the light” time praying for someone at the edges of my life. The really good news is that right after this practice started city engineers everywhere cut their red light cycle time way down!
And finally, I’m not near as shy since I was told that shy is another word for prideful!
April Terry said
am July 23 2008 @ 4:46 pm
I remember once making a statement to my mom that “all I could was pray” for someone, and my mom responded that prayer was the greatest thing you can do for a person. I believe that. My statement, and not unique I would guess, shows the lack of importance that is sometimes placed on prayer.
I think that if we actually knew the importance and effect of our prayers, we would be sad that we didn’t do it enough throughout our lifetime. We seldom get to see the effect of prayer in our lives and the lives of those we pray. There is no empirical evidence of the effects, but I believe that it changes the world.