It was the spring of my second year in university when my best friend asked me to pray for him.  We were walking together through the courtyard, when he asked, “Can you pray for me?” The request was completely unexpected. See, Emmanuel wasn’t a Christian. He hadn’t grown up in a Christian home. Therefore, this request for prayer was complexly out of character for him.

As we walked a long, I prayed silently for Emmanuel. I asked Jesus to come into his heart and address whatever had prompted his need for prayer. I prayed that the Holy Spirit would provide the boldness Emmanuel needed to make a step closer to faithful commitment. I asked that the healing arms of Jesus would enfold him in whatever way he needed. The prayer took only a minute.

 As we continued or walk, Emmanuel turned to me again, “So, will you pray for me?”  “I just did!”, I replied. And with that response, the conversation ended. We kept walking, and our conversation turned to weekend plans and upcoming exams. Emmanuel never asked me to pray for him again, and I never inquired why he wanted prayer in that moment.

Now, I don’t think I did anything wrong. I was a socially awkward, shy 19-year-old, and this was my best friend. The situation naturally pushed me past my comfort. What is more, I firmly believe that God is honoring to our heart’s intent, however silent or jumbled our prayers may be. I have no problem affirming that God responded to my prayer, and Emmanuel’s desire. I doubt God would have refused to act simply because I didn’t pray loudly enough.

Still, I often look back at that event and wonder what might have happened had I approached the situation more confidently. I can’t help but see an invitation I didn’t fully embrace. Over all these years a lingering question has remained with me: What might have happened had I prayed differently? Here’s what I mean.

I wonder what might have happened had I instructed Emmanuel to pray along with me. How might have things have progressed had I moved Emmanuel to a nearby bench and asked what he wanted prayer for. What if I had instructed him to close his eyes and bow his head? What might have occurred had I asked him to turn his palms upwards as a sign that he was open to receive whatever God wanted to give? And what might have taken place had I placed my hand on his shoulder and prayed out loud, articulating God’ love for Emmanuel, God’s desire to be with him, and God’s promise of working in ways beyond imagination? What might have occurred in him, and in me?

The book of James teaches us that the prayers of the faithful are powerful and effective. This power isn’t based on our own strength or prowess or skill, but in the confidence that we have in the Spirit. Yet so often, fear gets the best of us and stops us from fully engaging the prayer-filled invitations before us. 

Many of us have a list of people we pray for, either mentally or written down. We pray for these people faithfully and diligently, regularly bringing their names to Jesus. But do we pray for these prayers like I prayed for Emmanuel, silently and quickly? Do these people know we pray for them? Is there an invitation we may be missing?

Again, don’t misunderstand me, praying this way is not wrong. Jesus honors our prayers, and responds to any prayer offered in faith. But ask yourself the question; what might happen if you chose to pray differently? What might occur if you approached someone on your prayer list, and asked if you could pray for them in that moment? What if, then next time you are asked to pray for someone, you didn’t just add them to your list but chose to pray aloud with them right there? How might the Spirit be revealed in that moment?

It is an amazing privilege to pray for someone, and one we should embrace with both hands. Let us not let fear stop us from entering such holy moments. The next time you are invited to pray for someone, make the most of it. Dare to enter that opportunity with the conviction that the Holy Spirit will prove powerful and effective.  And with that conviction firmly rooted within you, be willing to pray differently.  Because who knows what majesties might be uncovered.