In a world that often feels rushed and chaotic, the simple act of giving someone your time can be one of the most profound gifts you can offer. Imagine dedicating just ten minutes each day to stand in prayer with someone, focusing on what matters most to them. This small yet powerful practice strengthens relationships, fosters spiritual growth, and cultivates a more profound sense of community.
Time is precious, and in our busy lives, we can easily overlook the importance of being present for others. When you dedicate ten minutes to standing in prayer with someone, you offer them your undivided attention—an act that speaks volumes. Whether they are facing challenges, seeking guidance, or simply needing a comforting presence, your willingness to stand beside them in faith reminds them they are not alone.
Throughout history, many individuals have demonstrated the transformative power of prayer. For instance, John Wesley dedicated two hours every morning to prayer, fueling a movement that transformed England and spread worldwide. His commitment helped lay the foundation for the Methodist revival. Martin Luther, despite his demanding role in the Protestant Reformation, famously said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” He understood that the more responsibilities he had, the more he needed to seek God’s guidance. David Yonggi Cho, founder of the world’s largest church in South Korea, spent three to five hours daily in prayer, emphasising that true spiritual success comes from deep communion with God. Rees Howellsand his group of intercessors spent entire nights in prayer during World War II, believing their prayers influenced global events and history. Teresa of Avila taught that prayer was a journey toward deeper intimacy with God, showing how time spent with Him could transform lives and lead to profound spiritual breakthroughs.
These examples remind us that prayer isn’t just a ritual—it’s a life-giving act that has the power to shape individuals, communities, and even history. However, it is worth mentioning that this is not a call to emulate these people, at least not in the gift we offer. We all uniquely need our prayer time and to build that too; however, prayer is challenging for people to do, and saying to someone, “I can stand with you for ten minutes to pray,” can be such a great revolution for some people in life that it can be their beginning of having a consistent prayer life. Remember, it’s not about you but the recipient.
Prayer is deeply personal, and everyone carries different concerns, hopes, and dreams in their heart. By inviting someone to share theirs, you create a safe space for authenticity. Whether they seek wisdom for a decision, healing for a loved one, or peace in uncertain times, your presence validates their emotions and experiences, offering them comfort and reassurance.
This shared moment of vulnerability builds trust and strengthens your connection—not just with one another, but with God. You also have a front-row seat in their lives when it comes to things they are concerned about because it’s as if you walked with them to have a conversation with God. Praying together fosters unity. In those moments, burdens are shared, joys are multiplied, and faith is strengthened. The beauty of prayer lies in its ability to transcend words, allowing you to witness someone’s heart in its most genuine form.
Something is humbling about hearing another person’s prayers. It reminds us of the vastness of human experience—our struggles, our hopes, and our gratitude. Through this shared act, you may find your faith renewed. Sometimes, this can even become a spark for your own prayer life because as you continue to share this gift, you also have more time for prayer.
Bringing the Gift of Ten into family life can transform relationships and create a strong foundation of faith. Here’s how to make it meaningful:
• Set a Daily Prayer Time – Choose a consistent time each day, such as morning, after dinner, or before bedtime. For instance, if you are praying with your child, it allows you to lay your hands on them daily and speak words of blessing into their lives. You can also pray over the phone, meaning there is no excuse not to offer that consistent gift of your time.
• Create a Special Prayer Space – Designating a specific spot in the home can enhance focus and make the practice more intentional. It can be in their rooms, especially if they are children, and I have seen that a simple yet profound act of kneeling with them shows how much you reverence and honour God in prayer. They would also learn from this and do it with time. Don’t worry if they don’t kneel at the beginning; if they see you kneeling, they will soon come and kneel.
• Encourage Participation. Even younger children can take part, whether by leading a short prayer or expressing gratitude. It is a brilliant way to instil a lifestyle of consistent prayer in your children. It is also essential to let them lead the prayer topics. Initially, you may need to demonstrate the order of worship so that they can understand the importance of thanking God before addressing their daily needs and wants. Teaching them patterns to use in prayer would always remain a suggestion and not an imposition, which means that if they follow the pattern, you could have at least passed on the way to pray according to the Lord’s Prayer pattern, for instance, but remember that it is their time. They can choose to do with it what they see and feel like. They can choose to pray with you for five minutes and use the other five minutes to tell you how their day went yesterday. You just must be present.
Follow up with Care. Ask each other how you’re doing and reflect on how God is moving in your lives. Sometimes, that simple question can lead to a moment of openness that allows you the opportunity to know how to minister to them during the day. When families commit to praying together, they create a legacy of faith that strengthens their bond and has a lasting impact on future generations. Incorporating this practice into daily life doesn’t have to be complicated. It is worth pointing out that a daily ritual may not work for some people; however, a weekly ritual can work, and if you fix the time, please do your uttermost best to keep it as a sacred time to assure the person you offered the gift to with the certainty that you meant to give a consistent prayer gift.