(II)The Social Dimension of Prayer
“Pray for one another” is a well-known advice to Christians. I could even say that it is such a well-known advice that it has become a cliché. I believe, however, that behind this phrase often heard in Christian circles, there are benefits that not many people think about. During this difficult time when meetings in person are significantly restricted, I believe that praying for others can keep our minds healthy in an unexpected way.
In order to pray for another person, you must know to some extent the problems, the joys, the worries, the fears that that other person has. Even if proper socialization is not allowed right now, I believe that technology is in this circumstance on our side. A phone call to the person we want to pray for will help us better understand the problems they have.
Also, this will be a good opportunity to socialize even if not in person, to share opinions for or against a certain topic, to share our experiences and thus feel much better. A conversation with a friend you want to pray for can get you up first. I’m not saying to approach prayer for others selfishly, thinking first about the benefits we might get, but we can’t completely neglect these benefits that directly affect us.
In this sense, I believe that the advice ‘pray for one another’ is a two-way street: one way that leads us to our neighbour, encouraging us to care for him, to wish him well, and consequently to pray effectively for him; and another way, which gives us the opportunity to socialize, to open quality conversations, to exchange thoughts, ideas, and to realize that we are not alone and what we live in a certain moment is by no means definitive or forever.
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I dare you to give a phone call today to a friend you may not have talked to in a long time. Ask him/her how he feels, what he/she is doing, what problems and what reasons to be happy he/she has. Pray for him/her and / or with him. You will see that the feeling of loneliness will fade away, you will feel much better that you have done something good, you have fulfilled a commandment in the Bible and you have come out on top in all respects.
How to succeed in repeating this process on a regular basis? We will see in a future article!
Until then, be blessed and always covered in the Father’s love!
Xoxo,
The Father’s Love Team