One of the things I love about social media is the ability to communicate something quickly to a large amount of people. In this age of Facebook groups and status updates and group texts (which I hate, but they have their place), information about a crisis or need can be quickly disseminated and needs can be filled with a rapidity never before possible. Yes, the church phone calls known as the “prayer chain” have largely been replaced with a newer model, and for the most part, that’s a good thing.
My family had a rough week last week and I availed myself of this phenomenon often to ask for prayer. My 90-year-old grandmother broke her left hip, just two months after breaking her right one, and to complicate matters, my mother was already scheduled for a pretty major back surgery the same week. My mom has been in terrible pain for 10 months; she could not reschedule. So, Grandma had hip surgery on Tuesday and my mother had back surgery on Wednesday.
I turned to Facebook to ask for prayer, and received lots of encouragement. As the week went on, my grandmother did well and my mom not so well. Her pain level has been bad, even as she’s been home. So I’ve continued to keep all her Facebook friends updated and I’ve asked people to pray for her pain to be relieved. And always the response is:
“Praying.”
“Praying for her.”
“Just said a prayer.”
And I’ve been so relieved. Not only because we NEED the prayer support, but because no one has yet said to me what I often see on Facebook when others ask for prayer.
“Sending you good vibes.”
“Positive thoughts.”
“Sending good thoughts your way?”
You guys. I have bad news for you. The truth is that while your good vibes and positive thoughts may make me feel cared for in the moment, in reality, they are worthless.
Don’t get me wrong. I appreciate that you care, I do. But if you truly want to help me in my time of need, I need you to pray. There is no power in your positive thoughts, my friends, but there is POWER in the name of Jesus. There is POWER in the name of God.
If I have cancer, I need you to PRAY.
If one of my children is sick, I need you to PRAY.
If I lose my job, I need you to PRAY.
If I am battling depression, I need you to PRAY.
Pray in Jesus’ name. Invoke the Name Above All Names. Cry out to the LORD, I Am, El Roi, the God Who Sees.
