A few years ago I decided to put my beliefs to work, and chose a handful of couples to pray for. Each day I held them in my heart, sometimes looking at their photograph. If I knew what was going on in their lives I would include that but if I was out of touch I prayed for blessings, safety, tenderness between them.

 

Praying for Strangers is a two minute video about a woman who chose to pray for a stranger each day, and how it impacted her life.

 

I read a story about a woman named Susan who felt moved to channel her gratitude to God into prayer for one person and asked for guidance in knowing who to choose. In her job with a toy company she noticed a woman who was behind on her payments. Susan decided that this was the person who needed her attention and with nothing more than her name and address she began a daily vigil. After awhile she felt led to write her prayers to the woman, with no expectation of a response. 

 

A year later she received a letter from someone in Vermont. Susan wondered who it could be. Then she recognized the last name. It was the same as the woman she had held in her heart for so long. In a surge of anxiety she wondered if she had overstepped her bounds and the message was a reprimand. She could not have been more wrong. 

 

Yesterday I prayed with a friend who is part of the Stephen's Ministry training I am in. She heard what is on my heart, and then carried it heavenward with her words. I felt loved. 

 

Not only that, the anxiety I expressed to her has lifted.