How important is my intention when I pray for someone’s healing? Henri Nouwen offers this: “To pray for others means to offer others a hospitable place where I can really listen to their needs and pains.”
Does this mean that if I am angry at the person, or deep down don’t want their healing, my prayer means nothing? That doesn’t sound like a prayer. Rather, it is self-centered me wanting what my self-centered me wants!
I believe that healing prayer should come from the best me I can be. Sometimes that is mighty pathetic, other times it is my better loving self. Regardless, I must offer my honest self to God. From that point I can listen to the needs and pains of the person for whom I am praying.
However, praying for ‘my enemies’ while not listening to their needs and pains is sometimes the best start I can offer. I know that God is there for the person. And, God is there for me, to help me move to love of self and neighbor.
Does this mean that if I am angry at the person, or deep down don’t want their healing, my prayer means nothing? That doesn’t sound like a prayer. Rather, it is self-centered me wanting what my self-centered me wants!
I believe that healing prayer should come from the best me I can be. Sometimes that is mighty pathetic, other times it is my better loving self. Regardless, I must offer my honest self to God. From that point I can listen to the needs and pains of the person for whom I am praying.
However, praying for ‘my enemies’ while not listening to their needs and pains is sometimes the best start I can offer. I know that God is there for the person. And, God is there for me, to help me move to love of self and neighbor.
RSS Feed