If in the course of your life you have ever gone through anything trying or difficult, or ever done something remotely hard, at some point (regardless of your religion) you have most likely heard someone utter the phrase, "I'm praying for you" or "I'll pray for you". To me, at this point in my life, I don't find those statements all that comforting or helpful. Now, I am not saying that if it is your inclination that you should or should not pray for someone, or that you should or should not be welcoming to prayer. What I am saying is that the saying, "I'm praying for you" has become so empty and meaningless that it really has no impact on my day and, if I had to guess, most people's days.
In society today, people throw out the term "I'll pray for you" as a way to try to lend some kind of support to someone for one reason or another. Again, this isn't inherently a bad thing. The problem is that we often use it as an excuse to make ourselves feel better about our inaction (either due to lack of ability or lack of desire) about the other person's problems. We use it like another form of "good luck" or "I hope things get better," but really it's just a way we can feel like we made a difference whether or not we actually do anything.
Doing something, on the other hand, makes a difference. If you have a grieving friend, be present to comfort them and maybe help them take care of something they are having trouble doing. If you see a homeless person, go give them something to eat. If your friend is having a rough day, talk about it with them. If someone you know is struggling academically, offer to assist them or help them find someone who can. Whatever you do, do more than try to simply send someone "good vibes" through terms like "I'm praying for you."
When my uncle died this past fall, what helped me the most was not the number of posts that read "I'll pray for you." What helped me the most was having friends who were beside me every single waking moment of every single day for the first several weeks after his passing. I am fortunate to say that because of their nearly constant presence, as well as willingness to help me get through the most basic and mundane tasks of life through my grief, I was able to get through that difficult time to a much higher degree than I would have been without them.
So, I challenge everyone reading this article, next time you feel the inclination to tell someone, "I'm praying for You" feel free to do that, but also find a way to meet a need in that person's life as it pertains to helping them through whatever it is you're going to pray for them for. Because ultimately, as a great man I know once said (and I'm paraphrasing): "Sometimes you have to be part of the answer to your own prayers." And I believe that wholeheartedly.
