Praying for People and Challenging Situations

Give yourself a few moments to breathe and become quiet in God’s presence. Allow yourself the gift of enjoying the presence of God for your own soul’s sake, and rest for a while in the familiarity and intimacy of your friendship with God. Then, as you are ready, allow God to bring others to your heart and mind—any person or situation that is of concern to you, someone who has asked for your prayers, any person or group of persons who has been harsh or critical or complaining, any situation that is causing you stress or requires wisdom. Imagine God asking you, “Is it okay for us to invite this person to join us (or for us to look at this situation together)?”

If you are able to say yes, welcome that person into the space where you and God are communing, and be with that person (or situation) in God’s presence. Listen for the prayer (the desire, the groaning) the Holy Spirit is already praying for that person or situation. Ask God, “How can I join you in that prayer?” See if there is anything God is inviting you to offer to that person or situation out of that prayer. Do not force or push for anything. If nothing comes, continue to rest in God relative to that situation. If wisdom or a next step does come, determine that you will respond faithfully as God makes your way clear.

If you notice resistance to inviting a person or situation into the time that you and God are sharing, feel free to tell God, “No, I’m not ready,” and then pay attention to that together. Even your resistance can have a lot to tell you about what is really going on inside you relative to the person or situation.

From Ruth Haley Barton, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry.

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