Just Do It!

Nike shoes built a long-standing media campaign on the phrase, “Just do it!” I’m not sure what that had to do with sports shoes (Just buy them now?) but it is hard to see the Nike “swoosh” without thinking of the phrase.

In reality, that’s not a bad thing to implement in your life. Procrastination is seldom a coveted virtue. It usually leads to a logjam of problems down the road when all those things you put off until later come due. Yikes! Since you can’t do everything at once, and since I recently wrote on prioritizing, let me zero in on one thing we should do right away, and you can make whatever further application for your life, leadership, and activities.

Have you ever told someone, “I’ll pray for you,” then got busy and forgot to do so? The next time we see them we sometimes hedge our words so we don’t have to admit we forgot to pray. Here is where that Nike phrase comes in to play. And Oswald Chambers would agree.

[blockquote author=”” link=”” target=”_blank”]Never say you will pray about a thing; pray about it.[/blockquote]

When you say you are going to pray for someone…just do it. Yep, right there where the two of you are. If it is on the phone, it’s pretty easy. But what if you are in an office, a busy lobby, in the parking lot, or at the mall? A bit more awkward for many.

I was in Genesis in my daily reading and came to the story of Joseph. Sold into slavery in Egypt, placed in Potiphar’s house where Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him. His refusal landed him in prison. When the Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker also landed in prison, Joseph was able to correctly interpret their dreams. As they were being released, Joseph asked for one simple thing. “Mention me to Pharaoh so he might let me out of this place.” I’m sure the cupbearer had the best of intentions. But guess what happened.

[blockquote author=”Gen 40:23 NLT” link=”” target=”_blank”]Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer, however, forgot all about Joseph, never giving him another thought.[/blockquote]

Joseph spent two more years in prison before the cupbearer remembered what Joseph had asked him to do.

Years ago, I realized I was telling folks I would pray, and then let my busyness override my good intentions. So, I decided to adopt the “just do it” strategy. I would ask the person if I could pray with them right then. To my memory, I have never had anyone turn me down. And yes, I have prayed in the busy lobby of a local TV station, in a hallway at work, in a parking lot, and in many hospital waiting rooms.

When a person has shared a deep need…a prayer request…you can be sure it is important to them. Even non-Christians have responded favorably to a time of prayer. And those who understand the power of prayer certainly appreciate that focused time.

There are some great benefits to just doing it…praying right then.

• First, it unleashes all God has for that person (and for you) through His Holy Spirit.

• Second, it relieves you of the guilt of saying you will pray and then not following through.

• Finally, though this isn’t why you do it, the act of prayer can be a wonderful witness to others.

By the way, if you email someone or chat with them online, and you say you will pray, just do it right then. It doesn’t have to be a long prayer but breathe a prayer for the person and their need. Don’t just put up the little praying hands emoji and go on. Pray.

Oswald Chambers, in his devotional book, My Utmost for His Highest, revealed the importance of praying for others.

[blockquote author=”” link=”” target=”_blank”]…prayer is the working of the miracle of redemption in me, which produces the miracle of redemption in others, through the power of God.[/blockquote]

Don’t miss out on that miracle of prayer. Just do it!