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Praying for strangers

June Sengpiehl

One of the most important things to me is prayer. I pray often for people in need that I know – friends, neighbours and people in my church. I also pray for myself, my husband, our children and the members of our extended families. But years ago, my prayer ministry expanded in a special way.

My husband, our children and I were on vacation, and had stopped for lunch. We were already seated when a woman and a man entered the restaurant and sat at a table across the room. The woman looked to be in her 30s, and was slim, attractive and nicely dressed. What was remarkable about her was that she was crying. Tears were streaming down her face. The man sat beside her, looking at her. He was about her age, was nicely dressed and had brown hair like her. He didn’t try to comfort her or console her in any way. Neither of them spoke.

As I sat there, I became concerned for this woman. Our family were talking and laughing merrily while we were eating our lunch. The woman sat there weeping silently and looking at us, particularly at me. I could hardly eat my food. Although she was a stranger to me, I felt great compassion for her. I wanted to do something for her but was not sure what.

We finally finished eating and left, but my uneasy feelings persisted. Here we were so happy, and she had a problem that made her sad enough to cry. Suddenly it flashed into my mind that what I could do for this woman was to pray for her. I asked God to help and comfort her, whatever her need was.

I don’t know what happened to the woman or what her problem was. But this woman had an enormous impact on my life. God used this experience to show me the importance of praying for strangers.

Over the years, since that day I have prayed for many people in need. I do not pray for everyone; just people for whom I feel a burden. Those I have prayed for include:

a person who seems upset. a speaker who stumbles or seems to be having difficulty. an injured policeman or fireman. a child who is missing. a person who is very ill. any person who is mentioned on the news as having a special need. leaders of nations around the world. people taken hostage.

Praying for strangers serves God, helps others and lifts us out of ourselves.

June Sengpiehl is a freelance writer from Oak Park, Ill.

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Last modified November 29, 2000.

© 2000 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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