First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone. (1 Timothy 2:1)
Did you feel that? I was praying for you.
We throw that term around a lot in Christian circles, and even some not-so-Christian circles. “I’m praying for you.” “You’re in my prayers.” “Sending thoughts and prayers.” But what does that mean? What happens when we pray for another, or send positive thoughts? Does it make a difference?
One misunderstanding I hear regarding prayer is that somehow our prayers spur God to act, as if God needs our encouragement to act for the good of others. Do we somehow think God doesn’t know that our loved one needs healing, protection, presence? Do we think God will only act of enough people pray for another? If so, what’s the number?
One benefit of prayer, as the saying goes, is that prayer changes the one doing the praying. Taking time to consider the needs of others or the needs of the world, or even our own needs, makes us, the one praying, more aware, more compassionate, more likely to act on behalf of someone else.
While I believe that, I also have come to think something more is happening when we pray for others. Quantum physics is leading us to understand that the world is more connected than we ever imagined. There are forces and energies abounding in creation that connect us to others and everything. I cannot even begin to fathom the science and the math behind it, but in my simpleness that interconnectedness is something holy and sacred.
Therefore, when we pray for someone or something, we are tickling the strings that connect us to all things, including each other. Those positive thoughts vibrate out through the universe and somehow touch all things, including the ones for whom we pray. It is that positive energy that can, and does, make a difference.
Those “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings” we offer up in prayer work together to change the pray-er, the pray-ee, and all of creation.
I hope you felt it too.
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