Brave enough to ask: Can I pray with you?

Today my boss offered to pray with me.

She knew I was nervous about a big webinar I was about to present to 65 local business leaders and she offered to pray with me.

And it’s not what she prayed, or how important this project felt to both of us that matters, it’s that she was brave enough to offer.

Because I think so often we don’t. Especially in the workplace.

We’re worried about offending others, or making them uncomfortable, or getting a reputation as “one of those people”.

What if she’s not a Christian? What if he thinks I’m trying to convert him? What if they complain to the boss?

So we hold back and tell ourselves it’s the acceptable thing to do, the professional thing to do.

But has there ever been a time in our lives that we needed prayer more than right this very moment?

How badly do each of us need to be comforted and encouraged, to be given hope and peace?

Are we really going to deny those gifts to another person because we’re afraid of offending them or looking awkward?

Because ultimately, what’s the worst that can happen? They say no? Ok, so we move on.

But what if they say yes?

What if we are each being called to pray with (not just for, but with) our coworkers, and neighbors, and the checkout clerk, and the nurse, and the police officer because it is what they need most?

The best thing we can offer them in an uncertain time.

What if we are being called to get over ourselves and just ask the question?

What if we’re being called for such a time as this?

I may not remember the exact words that she prayed, but I do remember how they made me feel. And I’ll always remember that she was brave enough to ask.

Featured image by Rosie Fraser on Unsplash