A Selfless Request
Some people keep a list of names and every day, they work their way through the list as they pray.
It is a selfless act, to pray for another, to give thought and time out of one's day to devote to the well-being of another. It may not seem like prayer is such a big thing to do. You don't need to go anywhere special, nor do you have to have any special skills or tools to do it. It may be one of the easiest things to do, and yet many of us don't think of doing it.
Healing and comfort are common things to pray for. But what about praying for the sins of others?
If you see your brother or sister committing what is not a mortal sin, you will ask, and God will give life to such a one-to those whose sin is not mortal. There is sin that is mortal; I do not say that you should pray about that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that is not mortal. - John 5:16-17
The idea of praying for someone who has sinned sounds presumptuous to me. Who am I to pray for the sins of another? Does God listen to one sinner on behalf of another? And if I am praying for someone who sinned, am I not being judgmental?
Well, what's the alternative? If no one prays for those who may not feel themselves worthy to appeal to God, what will become of them?
I have a friend who has a problem with prayer. He says it is like talking to oneself. I guess that means he is really struggling with the nature of God, and I get that. We humans have had that struggle our whole history. So, what do we do? Nothing?
I think today's reading is about hope. When i see someone in trouble, I hope they will turn themselves around. I don't have to judge them to know they have a problem which may be an obstacle, a wall keeping them from connecting with family, friends, God.
For me, hope is expressed through action, and the first action I can take is prayer. It is a way to release the feeling of helplessness and latch onto a source of strength.
As I sit here having my morning coffee, I can begin my day with a positive act, a request for God's help, not for me, only, but for those who are ashamed, afraid, or uncertain. That they may find their way home, is my prayer.