Nowadays, "sending prayers" is a common response to a post in social media.
Everyone uses it to express sympathy and care to the one who posted or to the one who is experiencing a bad situation.
This is really good and encouraging. For those words itself gives assurance and comfort to those who are affected.
But when we say "sending prayers", do we really stop what we are doing at that moment and pray for that person?
Were those words of encouragement ever realized in the presence of God?
If yes, praise God! You are doing it right!
But if your answer is no, this is the time to reevaluate and consider this sending prayer habit.
Every time you say you have prayed for someone God makes you accountable to Him and that person you are wanting to pray for. In other words you are making a commitment to God and that individual.
God wants us to to care and encourage but we have to make sure that we really do what we say! If someone needs our prayer, pause for a while and pray for that person, then tell that person that you have prayed for him/her.
In this way, you are able to encourage and at the same time, have fulfilled what you have spoken.
If, there is no time to pray, how about write it down and make sure you are able to pray for that person in your prayer time, then tell that person you are going to pray during your prayer time.
Imagine, if a hundred people said that they are praying but actually not one of them really prayed, what result can that person expect out of it? Remember, comments on social media are not prayers to God. Prayers to God is spoken to God.
Moreover, if that person lives near you, it is better to visit that person. In this way, you are able to pray with him or her together.
Everyone should make it a habit to pray honestly for the person in need, knowing that God will hear their prayers.
This is when "sending prayers" counts.
