Text Prayers - Praying for Someone Via Text Messages

It's just before 5 am and I'm sending a text message. Not just any text message, mind you, but a prayer text message.

Today's electronic devices are a bit of a two-edged sword. On one hand, they can bring an "always on" hectic-ness to life, making it hard to disconnect from the grid and just be alone. On the other, they can be a way to reach out to a friend or loved one that you may have a burden for. And though I don't text just anyone and everyone (at any hour), there are times when it seems appropriate.

When God leads.

Awakened from sleep

Gone, it seems, are the nights of sleeping straight through from 11 pm to 6 am. For whatever reasons, I'll sometimes now find myself awakened with a particular person or situation on my mind. Most of the time I'll say a quick, silent prayer and go back to sleep. But other times, it's not so easy. The situation lingers; the person on my heart won't go away. This morning is like that.

So, what are my options? I guess I could call and leave a voice mail. True. But then I might have to talk. And sometimes in talking my words get all jumbled up. I could always send a letter or email. Again, yes, I could (and have), but in this particular case, and at other times of the day, a text message fits better.

Not a texting machine

Before you get the idea that I'm sending text messages out at all times of the day and night like some sort of prayer dispensing machine, let me reiterate, I only proceed when God seems to give the go ahead. If that seems cryptic to you, sorry. In my relationship with God through Christ, there are times when long talks with Him are necessary. At other times those talks are short, brief, maybe just a simple request or thank You. Sometimes I don't even talk, sometimes I just be with Him. Just listen, and enjoy His company.

So, on this early, chilly morning, I felt burdened for no apparent reason for this friend, and I sent a text prayer. Hopefully I didn't wake them up, but at this point I'm trusting God for the timing (maybe they needed waking up!). I did what I felt He wanted. No, I didn't get a return text, but that has to be okay. If receiving some sort of response is required, then maybe the prayer shouldn't have been shared/sent in the first place. God is perfectly capable of rewarding (Heb 11:6) the asking heart, and prayer texting isn't always the action that someone should take, but in my case, at this particular time, it seemed the best course of action.

Can you pray in 160 characters or less?

Truth is, I actually, on this particular morning, lay awake on my bed and cried out for this friend for what felt like half an hour. I sensed they were cold, lost, feeling forsaken. I didn't - and still don't -- know if any of those things are really true, but at the time, that's the kind of impressions I was awakened with.

So, I interceded for them.

When it comes to actually praying for someone in a cell phone text message, you could certainly type it all out such as a, "Dear God, I am burdened for my friend and am asking you to come to their aid, to their help. Please help them." (By the way, that clocks in at 110 characters.)

Other times -- and this time certainly fits this category -- there's no way to say everything you want to say or pray in 160 characters or less. At this moment I have to be brief, even though there has been much more "prayer time" behind the actual text message. You have to remember, it isn't like sending a prayer text in this way is some magical formula of getting what you want. You're dealing with, and interacting with, the God of the Universe. A person. A tri-unity being. He knows the intentions of your heart. He knows the situation at hand.

Sometimes my text prayers take the shape of: "Burdened for you. Are you ok?" or "Praying for you right now. Are you doing alright?" Other times, I'll send a scripture reference, or even the entire verse, if God lays it on my heart. I even ask God to direct me to Bible verses that fit well in a text message and then keep them stored on my cell as "Quick Text" options. These verses, if sent at the right and appropriate time (Proverbs 25:11), are a great way to encourage another should God so lead.

Just before I press send...

As is the case in these "out of the blue" prayer burdens for people, I usually hesitate before actually hitting the send button. And this morning was no exception. I almost feel like a "text prayer editor" as I look back over my message, attempting to make sure the exact message I want to send is clearly stated. God knows what I want to say, but will the recipient interpret it correctly? I read it and re-read it, changing a few "you" words to "u" (and "for" to "4") to save space, to whittle it down to 160 characters. I ask God to direct me, my words, my intentions. I had my text message at exactly 160 characters and was scrolling back down to the bottom double checking things, when I accidentally hit the send button. Before I knew what happened, "Message Sent" appeared on the screen then blinked out.

No retrieving it now. This prayer message was on it's way.

Had I said the right thing? Had I sent it at the right time?

When it comes to praying, whether via a text message or otherwise, I sometimes wonder if I'm saying or praying the right thing. And if I keep that kind of questioning going, I can drive myself crazy (and have!). In the end, I have to trust and believe that the Holy Spirit will do the interceding for me. I have to trust that He will guide in how the message is received, when it is read and how it is used in that person's heart and life. (Romans 8:26)

And if I can trust Him to wake me at o'dark thirty, I can certainly trust Him the rest of the times too. (Seems God was teaching me this with my Stuck Spark Plug Story too.)

Yes, I can trust Him...

I can trust him for His care, His direction.

With a spoken or thought word... with a text prayer on a cell phone. I know that His message will always get through.

-- Burdened for you, friend. Praying that God be close and near to you no matter where you are. --