It comes so easily off our lips, but as spiritually noble as that sounds, there are some instances when you should not say, “I’ll pray for you”…
When?
When you won’t do it…
How many times have you told someone you prayed for them, and whether you meant to or not, you didn’t do it. I find the best practice is to go ahead and pray right then and there.
When you don’t mean it…
How many times have you said I’ll pray for you because it was (SP) spiritually correct, but you never meant to do it. You weren’t being malicious, you just used it as a kind spiritual platitude…a nice cliché…it was right for the moment.
When you say it to belittle or insult someone…
Yep it happens, I have to admit that I have done it. Have you? When someone does something you don’t like, and it’s your way of saying, “I think you’re pitiful’.
When it offends them…
An unbeliever or someone weaker in the faith could be offended when you say, “I’m praying for you”. It may only push them off and harden their heart. Use discernment.
Remember this…
God holds us accountable for every idle word we say…
Matthew 12:36 (NKJV)
36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.
Especially if we are speaking or acting on His behalf or as intercessors…
Matthew 7:22-23 (NKJV)
22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Never turn, “I’ll pray for you” into a lie an insult or empty words.
Update: Here’s a similar post from another blogger…
https://lightenough.wordpress.com/2017/08/10/ill-pray-for-you-oh-really-3/
BE BLESSTIFIED!
BE BLESSTIFIED! 
Yes! Amen! I have blogged on similar. https://lightenough.wordpress.com/2017/08/10/ill-pray-for-you-oh-really-3/
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I lovvve this post!!!! Confirmation!
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Im a “then and there” guy! How the Lord wants to be invited, even in a simple way!
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Amen! BE BLESSTIFIED:-)
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Agreed! I’ve started up a community prayer request post on my blog and I am consistently working on daily prayer, and wow is it amazing. I’m learning the phrase does not have to be negative. When we mean it, there is a joy, there is hope for His promise, His hand, and His answer. We should lift each other up for big stuff and small stuff. We shouldn’t only say, “I’ll pray for you.” I’ve been telling people, “I AM praying for you,” and I can say it because I mean it, and I see how powerful it is to know someone is praying for you actively and to know you aren’t alone. I haven’t been consistent in the past but God has imparted so much to me through daily prayer and lifting up the body of Christ.
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Amen my sister! Yes! “I am praying for you.” Our prayers should be ongoing. BE BLESSTIFIED!
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So true! Good one!…I used to be the world’s worst about this. I said it sometimes because it just sounded good then other times I would honestly forget to pray for them later! Thank God He has delivered me from this! Now I pray right on the spot or I deliberately take time to think about all the ppl I’ve promised prayers to when I pray at night!
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Amen my friend.God convicted me with this one a few years back. I try to pray immediately too.
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Thank God for convictions! They keep us in line!…God bless!
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Pray for them, with them, on the spot! I’m not very good at praying out loud but I do it and it blesses us both. God is good to us!
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Yes He is Sherry! BE BLESSTIFIED my friend!
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Reblogged this on BE BLESSTIFIED! and commented:
SOMETIMES IT’S BEST TO NOT TELL SOMEONE YOU’RE PRAYING FOR THEM, JUST DO IT…
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