Have you ever prayed for a complete stranger? I don't mean praying for someone who you don't know personally. We've all prayed for the missionary family in Africa or South America whose prayer letters are dispersed through our churches. I mean someone who you see in the grocery store or on the street, who you will most likely never see again, have no relationship with except a one-time sighting. Or maybe you haven't seen the stranger, just know he or she exists.
When I was in high school I remember clearly something my history teacher said. She was my favorite teacher; she made history come alive by talking about people and events in the past as if she were telling her class a story. But the only words I remember clearly from her now 30 years later told me something about her own life that she probably didn't realize she was revealing.
She gently ridiculed Christians as she taught us about early Western civilization, the Crusades, or the era of Renaissance and Reformation. But her words one day are seared into my brain, probably because I had so much respect for her as a teacher. She spoke in a mocking tone. "There are people who believe that God has a plan for everyone and that He does plan and carry out His purposes in circumstances as mundane as whether they will be get a red light or a green one while driving, or what they should eat or drink, or whether they should wear this dress or that one. As if God cares about each person on such a personal level or that He controls the world in such a minute and detailed way. That kind of blind faith has been the cause of some awful events in history. "
Her comment stuck with me. I think because I felt she was targeting me personally (she was, whether she meant to or not). She thought that kind of faith was naive and even dangerous. But you may be wondering what this has to do with praying for strangers? Well, as I wrestled with her view of Christians, I realized that my relationship with God was based on just such a 'naive' faith. In my mind, it was reassuring and a comfort, in her mind, it was simple, silly, and child-like. I prayed for her that day and have prayed for her again and again over the years when that incident is brought to my mind.
Even while I was ridiculed indirectly for my 'child-like' faith, I was exercising that same faith through prayer. I think that incident helped to contribute to my habit of praying for people I don't know who may be facing situations that are stressful. When I hear an emergency vehicle barreling down the highway or on the streets of my neighborhood, I pray for the person who is waiting for their response. I don't know what is happening, but I can hear the siren, so I ask God to be there and to be glorified through it. I don't have to know what effect my prayer has; what I do know is that I am hearing the distress call and that I can ask for help from the One who sovereignly ordains all that will come to pass.
Today on my walk I saw a woman packing up her car and noticed that her garage was full of boxes, like she was moving. Her house is not for sale, but someone is leaving it. I prayed for her situation, asking God to work in the lives of those who live there, that His will may be done and that they would submit to Him and come to Him if they don't know Him. After praying, I wondered if I am presuming on God in some way. But I know that even though I don't know the person or situation, He does. Is it ever the wrong time to pray? I know I can pray for the wrong things. I know that my prayers are as imperfect as I am; but I also trust that God will use the intercession as He sees fit. And that I am called to intercede through prayer when I know someone is in trouble.
A friend shared with me years ago that she prays for people who the Lord brings to her mind throughout the day. I have used that model as my own, praying for people that I think about when I think about them, and praying for people especially when I've told them that I will pray for them. It's not just about words or good intentions. It's an act of obedience to ask the Lord to govern and intercede in this world so that He can further His kingdom and His glory. I know that He is using my quick prayers throughout the day to strengthen my faith, if not for any other reason.
We are to pray without ceasing. I see prayer as a dialogue with my creator, as an open communication with my heavenly Father. I am trying to cultivate a prayer life that reminds me in whom I put my trust and "I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me." (I Timothy 1:12)
