“Send some prayers my way,” Joey said. “I am applying for that job tomorrow.”
I have heard this kind of thing innumerable times through the years: “I am sending some prayers your way today!” It’s a nice sentiment, but technically, where are prayers sent? We all know they are sent to God. David illustrates this in places like Psalm 142 where he says, 1O LORD, I call to you; come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call to you. 2May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. Even though he later states in this psalm that his prayer is against his enemies, David affirms from the start that the prayer is addressed to God and it’s going to God.
Likewise, Revelation 5 speaks with beautiful imagery of our prayers when it says this of the Lamb that was slain: 8And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. Where did those prayers go? They became as incense in heaven — in the presence of God.
I feel confident that when people say this kind of thing — I’ll send some prayers your way — they intend it as a blessing. I would guess that they say it with pure hearts. But, without meaning to, they essentially leave God out of the picture. And frankly, when I hear someone say it, it sounds… pagan. It’s like saying that you’re sending some mojo. Christians don’t send mojo. We speak to God himself and ask him to send healing, deliverance, correction, life, and at times, himself — all of which are blessings.
Prayer is a great privilege. It’s essential to understand that by it,we enter the presence of the Most High God. And frankly, I’d rather have someone speak personally to God on my behalf than to “send some prayers my way”!
So send some prayers God’s way for someone in need. Trust God to send the blessing needed in response to the prayer.
