Praying for others

I find praying difficult. Sometimes praying for others seems easier, more selfless. But it can also be awkward. I never really know what to say or to ask for. I just read a good article on the subject in ExploreFaith.org. It contained the following process for praying for others:

1. Sit quietly and center yourself in the present moment.
2. Slowly read each name listed.
3. As you read imagine the name floating into your heart.
4. Bring your awareness to being in the presence of God.
5. Open your heart and ask God to read the names that are written there.
6. Thank God for the time you’ve spent together and for listening and answering you in your prayers.

This excerpt from the article is especially meaningful:

“Before they call I will answer, while they are yet speaking I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24). God reads the prayers of our heart even before they have been formed into words or vocalized by our mouth. Prayer becomes not so much trying to remember the names and needs of each person or group. Rather the task of intercessory and petitionary prayer becomes opening our heart to receive all the needs and then asking the Holy One to read what is there. In some ways, it is more difficult than simply naming names and asking for God’s assistance, because it requires the full opening of the heart and soul to our own pain and the pain of the world. But, the God of love takes our offering and blesses our love. The God of love hears our heart and blesses those we love. The God of love lifts the needs from our heart and takes them into the heart of heaven. And we, we stand amazed, at the miracles that unfold.

When I've prayed for others in the past, I'd say it was more "naming names and asking for God's assistance" rather than "the full opening of the heart and soul to our own pain and the pain of the world". I'll have to try the latter sometime.