EASY FOR YOU TO SAY! -- Devotional for November 26, from "Good Seeds"

Pray for one another. (James 5:16)

This common cliché has an implied but unspoken finishing statement: “That’s easy for you to say – but not so easy to do.” This is especially true for Christians in the area of prayer. We are so quick to say, “I’ll pray for you,” but how quick are we to actually pray? If we don’t stop and pray right then and there, when will we do it? How will we remember our friend’s need, and our promise to bring it before the Lord? Until we find a way to keep our vigil with God on our friend's behalf, we’d better hold off from making such glib commitments, for “by our words we shall be condemned” (Matthew 12:37). A line from the poem, "The Cremation of Sam MaGee," serves as a sober reminder to every conscientious Christian regarding his promise to pray for someone: “A promise made is a debt unpaid.” Some may not think of it as an actual promise, but rather just a statement of intent. But it’s a question of character here, for ought not our word be our bond? Isn’t saying I will do something really saying, “I promise I will do it”? Otherwise I should say, “I’ll do it – if I don’t forget.” And here’s another problem: because of our sinful nature we fool ourselves into thinking that once we have stated our intent to do something, we’ve as good as done it! And regarding our prayer, who’s to know whether or not we actually prayed as promised? After all, isn’t prayer by definition a very private and personal thing? Yes, so much so that maybe we ought not to talk about it at all, but just do it! Jesus rebuked the religious hypocrites of His day for making a public spectacle of their praying, “in order to be seen by men” (Matthew 6:5). If we are totally honest with ourselves we will admit a certain satisfaction felt inside every time we tell someone we will pray for him. If we don’t tell him, but just do it, we deprive ourselves of that “innocent” little perk, leaving behind just the work! Someone said, “Real prayer is hard work,” and I believe it. But not to promise to pray has its down side, too. Prayer needs planning, and planning begins with desires and goals. To say we will pray is the first step in our prayer plan. In Proverbs 29:18 we read, “Without a vision the people perish.” Sincere intention coupled with a practical plan prevents us from becoming useless, prayer-less saints! Here’s a good plan: 1) Keep track of prayer requests by immediately writing them down in a small notebook that you keep with you at all times; 2) Keep your prayer vigil with the Lord – same time, same station, every day. Then pull out your list, get on your knees, and pray; 3) Keep your prayer promise to your friend. This “Prayer-Keep Plan” will help you walk the walk of prayer, and not just talk the talk, making it easy for you to pray, not just to say that you will!