Random Acts of Prayer

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Philippians 2:4 NIV)

Performing random acts of kindness is a wonderful practice, doing something nice for someone for no other reason than to brighten their day. Anonymous deeds are the most gratifying. Paying the toll for the person in the car behind you or leaving flowers at a neighbor’s doorstep. But, what if we took this practice even further? What if we committed random acts of prayer by going about our days eagerly seeking out people to pray for? On the way to work, we can pray that each person on the bus has a good day and gets home safely. Walking down the street, we can look into people’s faces and see the need for prayer in their eyes or by their demeanor. We can pray that they find relief from whatever is troubling them. Passing an accident on the highway, we can pray that there are no serious injuries.

What do we get by performing these radical, random acts of wishing peace and goodwill towards others? We get to share the love of God within us, which was not meant to be hoarded and kept to ourselves, but to be offered freely and gladly to everyone. There are few things in life that provide more satisfaction.

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us the will and desire to pray for others. May we continue to love others as you have loved us and to share that love freely, without expectation of recognition or reward, knowing that it is your will for us.

© Copyright 2009 G. Francis Johnson