I listen, knowing I don t have all the answers. Maybe I have no answers at all. But if I open the ears of my heart, I am able to hear that she is relieved just to have someone hear her out without interrupting her, blaming her or giving her unwanted advice. Sometimes the best thing for me to do when I am hoping to pray for someone is simply to listen. I take time to connect with those close to me and ask them to pray with me.
Conflicts arise because of tight schedules, deadlines for schoolwork and bills to pay.
Yet God s loving grace refreshes me when I take time to stop racing through my day and connect with one of my family members, asking him or her to pray with me. This helps me focus on what is really important and reminds me that God is in control of each hectic day. Instead of thinking about what I will say next, I pray while I listen. There are times when I am listening to my children and it is hard for me to understand exactly what they are going through. But if I pray while I listen Lord, help me understand what he is saying God somehow clears away the distractions and predetermined adult agenda and helps me tune into my loved one s concerns with a listening heart.