Winning Words Saying it and praying it

Have you ever found yourself either telling someone that is struggling that you are praying for them or having someone tell you that they are praying for you or sending positive thoughts your way?

I want to challenge us all on this.  Out of all the times you have actually said that you would pray for someone, have you really literally done it?  Or was it just a simple way to say something kind in a sensitive moment?  Or did life happen and the craziness of a busy schedule interrupt a well-intended and verbally committed to prayer?

And for those folks who do not necessarily use the words prayer but favor an offering of wishing others well and sending positive thoughts their way, do you physically take the time for to stop and earnestly think about transmitting positive energy and thoughts? Or will preoccupation and other thoughts capture or steal our precious intentions?

What I believe to be true is that we all want to say something that will offer those closest to us who may be challenged right now with words of encouragement and in some cases we just don’t know what else to say so we say something like, “I will be praying for you,” or “I will be sending lots of positive thoughts your way.”  I too have found myself in this very situation at times. 

When we are given the opportunity to send our positive energy and thoughts or simply pray for our friends, family members, or even friends of friends and friends of family, or sometimes even perfect strangers, we should consider this an enormous privilege.  We can’t allow a perceived lack of time to rob each of us of the true joy we would receive by spending just a few minutes or even seconds thinking of or praying for other people. 

It is such an amazing feeling that I can’t imagine that I have ever deprived myself of such a wonderful opportunity.

But reality is reality and I understand that time compression is an easy excuse for missing these types of joyous opportunities. 

But before you completely dismiss this column or allow yourself to buy into the time compression myth I want to have you consider the following: Prayers and the sending of positive thoughts or energy can take a lot of time or as little time as you may have at that moment.  I have said extremely quick prayers immediately following an interaction or communication with someone in need of hope and help.

 And conversely, I have spent a great deal of time in meditation and prayer silently requesting assistance in many forms for those in need.

I am so grateful for all of the prayer chains and positive people in my life.  I love seeing prayer requests coming through email and through texts. Of course it saddens me to know how many people are hurting, but I find these prayer warriors and vigilant optimists to be incredible people and giving souls.

Why am I writing this column? My hope is that you will be reminded of the wonderful opportunity and beautiful blessing it is to lift someone up in prayer or simply hold them in your heart and mind in their time of need. 

As always I would love to hear all of your thoughts and maybe this week how I might specifically pray for you or someone you know.  Email me at gotonorton@gmail.com and together let’s make it a better than good week.

Michael Norton, a resident of Highlands Ranch, is the former president of the Zig Ziglar organization and CEO and founder of www.candogo.com.