How Christians say "wow that's too bad"
I've noticed that Christians love to say "I'll pray for you" and then...never pray for that person. Like it is some line we say at the end of a bad date to end the date without too much awkwardness, like "I'll call you later" then we never call. In those situations I know how desperate they can be, the other person really had a good time, but you just did not connect and they are standing there and you have two options you can hit the panic button on your key-chain then say "Oh no someones breaking into my car" then run into your house and turn off all the lights. Or you can say "so...I'll call you".
It's possible that you intend to call at first, but you just get busy. Life is a crazy place and if things come up, what can you do? I think that is the real issue with saying "I'll pray for you" also. We really do intend to pray for them. I would like to believe that the only time we would say that is if we actually cared and wanted to show God that it was a priority to us and that we believe He can do something about it.
I would say I'm probably batting a .175 at following-through with praying for people I say I will. But keep in mind that is a ten year average of the last seven years and for the first five or six I was batting .000 so that's a huge improvement. You can't just pull a big goose egg up too quickly, numbers just don't work that way.
So here are five things you can do instead of saying "I'll pray for you" at the end of a conversation:
1. Reach under your shirt and grab the lint in your belly button and place it in their hand
Not a polite thing to do surely, but it's like a good SNL skit that was hilarious and then as you slowly stop laughing and realize it's super awkward, you just need a good out-of-nowhere thing to then walk away from.
2. "Cool beans"
A buddy of mine said that to me a while ago, and it just brought be back to a better time. It made me laugh to myself as I read the txt, and it ended our conversation without any awkwardness! Give it a shot.
3. "I'm sorry I can't multiply the funk"
If the person you're talking to is talking about something you disagree with, and the thing they want you to pray for is something you feel would increase the turmoil, stress or downward spiral their life is going into. Thus multiplying the funk they are currently in, say it. Like if they are in a horrible relationship and they are praying the dude pops the question. Or if they're in their sixty-second job this year and they want you to pray for a new one to present itself. It may seem harsh but do it lovingly and only if you honestly want the best for them.
4. "That's interesting"
This can mean anything from "that is an awesome idea, and I'm going to do everything in my power to help" to "that is the worst idea I've ever heard". Sometimes you need to disagree without the confrontation of #3. I think I like it because it masks your thoughts while you figure out what you actually think. Try it today with random things. If someone spill their pop on your keyboard "that's interesting, the vowels don't work anymore."
5. Pray for them right then
This for me is the real option. The best option. Rock the PRT (pray right there). Don't let the hustle and bustle of the day swallow your chance to love them.
So next time we are in a good conversation and it is winding down, I hope you reach in your shirt and place some lint in my hand. Because it would be funny, and also infinitely better than a fake "I'll pray for you".
PEACE
Doug
posted by Doug at
9:08 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home