To Be in Prayer...and to be Prayed For

I love praying!  To be able to pray for someone in a time of need....is something I take very seriously.  If I tell you I'm going to be in prayer for you....you can rest assured on that promise. 

I love praying for the hard stuff...for those that are dying, for those dealing with difficult issues in relationships, those that are struggling in faith or for those that do not know Him yet.

I love praying for someone...just because!  I may not know their needs on that day...or if they even have any specific needs.  But just to say....Lord, you know them and their heart....bless this person in the ways only you can!

One of my favorite ways to be in prayer...is in thanksgiving!  I'm thankful EVERYDAY....even on the hard days.  And to start each and every prayer in thanksgiving is such a blessing to my life.  Now don't get me wrong...that prayer maybe quickly followed up with "Help" or "Why" or "What".  But, to know that in all things and all times...I can always start with thanksgiving is wonderful to me.

Now...if I love being in prayer that much...WHY do I feel such struggle with asking others to pray for me?  I feel like a burden....I feel needy.  And as of late...I feel like I'm CONSTANTLY asking for prayers.  I am soooo ready to NOT be on a prayer list/ chain!  :-)

Yes...our life is stressful right now, but who's isn't?  We all have stress and trials and complicated things going on.  So why should I be seeking any more prayer than the next guy?  I truly wrestle with this issue...this feeling that my "stuff" isn't as important as other people's "stuff".  So...Tammy...keep your need for prayer to yourself!

Then...you come in contact with someone like Greg Box....a dear friend from church.  He looks you in the eyes, with such sincerity, and says "I consider it a huge honor to pray for someone that needs prayer, so please...can I pray for you today."  WOAH!

Then it clicks....we are called by God to be in prayer! 

1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

So....for those reading....ask me to pray for you!  It's part of my responsibility as a Christian...to be in faithful prayer ALL THE TIME!  And please...I'm asking you....pray for me too!