I walked into the Louisiana Men’s Retreat recently and among my first greeters was Paul. Paul reminded me that we had met two years earlier at the same event. His next words were humbling as he informed me, “I am praying for you”. I regret that these are words that we say and hear often, but fail to understand the gift of prayer to a friend. The humility I felt when Paul spoke only grew with the rest of his announcement, “I am praying for you and have every day for the past two years”.

The humility brought on by this man’s gift of prayer bordered on embarrassment when Paul approached me as the retreat was concluding. He had purchased a copy of my book and asked me to sign it. I was honored to do so and as I handed it back to him, he turned it over to the back cover. I have rarely been so moved as he said, “I can’t wait to get home and show my wife the picture of the man that we pray for every morning”.

Paul, thank you. I am at a loss of words to properly express my gratitude for my southern Louisiana friend. The only way I can begin to repay you…”I am praying for you”.

“I am praying for you.” May these never be frivolously spoken words of spirituality, but rather a sincere commitment. I am sure that Jesus never gave a better encouragement to His disciples than when He promised, “I am praying for you”.