The Offer of Prayer

“Lunchtime!” my employees called, clamoring for the door.

I’d offered to host a farewell lunch for our team member who’d gotten a promotion, but as I closed my office door to follow, I saw her hanging back, face clouded in worry.

Ask her what’s wrong.

The thought was persistent and unbidden; I quickly hushed it as hesitation crowded in. Who was I to intrude? She wouldn’t want to confide in me, her boss. Yet as her eyes ventured to meet mine, the impulse struck again.

“You look like something’s on your mind,” I ventured. “Anything you want to talk about?”

She nodded eagerly, the worries immediately pouring out: a child with medical needs, a marriage on the rocks, little support. I began to offer trite-sounding words of comfort when the persistent voice rose up again: ask to pray with her.

This I certainly wouldn’t do. It was a secular workplace. What if she was offended? And I was still her boss, for crying out loud! Yet the Holy Spirit’s invitation broke through my protests and burned so powerfully in my chest that it was impossible to contain or ignore.

Deep breath.

“If you want to pray about it, I’m willing to,” I offered carefully, before rushing to add, “if not forget I said anything.”

Again, she eagerly agreed, shocking me even more when she volunteered that she’d grown up Catholic. So there we sat, and there we prayed.

Her suffering didn’t magically disappear, her problems weren’t instantly solved—but there, in the midst of a stark little office, God became fully present in the midst of them. The encounter I resisted out of fear and discomfort became one of overflowing grace, just like that of Philip and his faith-filled Ethiopian friend (Acts 8:31).

Have you ever been afraid to share God’s love with someone in need? Our Lord is always sending us opportunities and openings. You don’t need the most convincing words, perfect prayers, or full understanding. All you need is the determination to share His love.

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Holy Spirit, grant me the courage to do Your work.