prayer

Someone just popped by and asked me if it was okay to add a person to our prayer list. She is mostly worried because the person didn't technically ask for prayer.

Here is the request:

I'm not sure if this is the right way of doing this, but one of our co-workers is having a really rough week.  She attended one funeral earlier this week, and just found out she lost a family member.  She didn't ask me to share this, and maybe you already know, but if not...I was hoping to lift her and her family members up in prayer.  I feel like maybe I'm violating her privacy a little, but I also think she and her family could use it...

Please add this lady to your prayers.

Please know that it is always good to pray, even when they don't ask. I imagine them coming up to you in heaven and saying "thank you for bringing me to God, even when I couldn't think to ask".

Here is a good prayer from the Book of Common Prayer if you are having trouble organizing your thoughts. Sometimes an old prayer comes in handy:

O God, the Creator and Preserver of all mankind, we humbly beseech thee for all sorts and conditions of men; that thou wouldest be pleased to make thy ways known unto them, thy saving health unto all nations. More especially we pray for thy holy Church universal; that it may be so guided and governed by thy good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to thy fatherly goodness all those who are any ways afflicted, or distressed, in mind, body, or estate; [* especially those for whom our prayers are desired;] that it may please thee to comfort and relieve them, according to their several necessities; giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.