Offering “thoughts and prayers” as condolences is often criticized for various reasons:ġ. As believers, our prayers are just as powerful when shared on behalf of others.ģ Reasons ‘Thoughts and Prayers’ Is Criticized Prayer is not something we should keep to ourselves. Throughout the New Testament, it is encouraged, modeled, and commanded that we pray for one another. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect. We are commanded to pray over the sick as well as praying over sin for healing: Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. In the book of James, written by the brother of Jesus, it is commanded that we pray for one another. Throughout Paul’s letters in the New Testament, he regularly shares that he prays for the believers as well as encourages them all to pray for one another. Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. Paul continues to encourage believers to pray: I never stop giving thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. He started churches and continued to encourage new believers by writing letters to them. Paul followed God’s calling on his life to preach to Jews and non-Jews ( Gentiles) throughout the Roman world. He traveled from town to town, arresting followers of “The Way” because he believed they taught against Jewish law.Īn encounter with the risen Savior on the road to Damascus blinded Paul for three days and led him into a real relationship with Jesus. The Apostle Paul was once a persecutor of Christians named Saul. Jesus gave us the example to pray for others, but another follower of Christ in the Bible also lived his life encouraging and praying for other believers. Verses that Encourage Us to Pray for Others Jesus’ compassion for mankind led him to act on his compassion through healing, serving, and prayer. He prays that God’s love would be poured out to all of those who would come to faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus continued to pray for all believers that may believe in him through the words of the disciples. He also asked God that they would be sanctified or set apart by God’s truth. Jesus prayed for their protection for whatever persecution they may face. He chose to pray for his friends who would witness these events and feel overwhelming fear and sadness. Jesus was about to be arrested and put to death on the cross.

He loved these friends he had spent the last three years with, teaching and ministering. In John 17, at the last Passover meal with his disciples, Jesus spent time praying for them. Jesus also modeled praying for those he had compassion for.

Jesus not only held them in his thoughts, he also acted on his compassion and served them. In Matthew 14:14-21, Jesus’ compassion prompted him to heal and feed thousands of men, women, and children. He felt compassion for the “distressed and dejected.” His compassion moved him to heal and share the gospel with them. In Matthew 9:35-36 (CSB), Jesus traveled the area preaching and healing. Throughout the gospels, Jesus expressed His compassion by caring for individuals who were afflicted. Jesus had compassion for the sick, lame, hungry, and ostracized. This takes the phrase, “My thoughts and prayers are with you” to a higher level, as Jesus not only verbally expressed compassion, he demonstrated it. The phrase denotes compassion which is a character quality of Jesus Christ that we can emulate. Even though the exact phrase is not present, the connotation is a biblical practice. Christians should be careful when taking a cliché and trying to fit it into Scripture when it is not actually there. The exact phrase “thoughts and prayers” is not actually in the Bible, it is a cliché or an overused term. Biblical Significance of ‘Thoughts and Prayers’ It is a way to express compassion for those who are hurting. The meaning of the phrase is letting someone know you are thinking about them as they grieve and praying for those involved.

Thoughts and prayers alternative