Share in my prayer...

I get a lot of prayer requests. Many come from the tight circle of my small group and others from friends and acquaintances that consider me "a good Christian" (whatever that means). So if you ask me to pray for you, there are a few things that you should know...
It's very difficult to remember them all, but it is in these times that I call on God to help me, because His memory is much better than mine! My husband prayed (in our nightly prayer session) that God would keep in mind the prayer requests that are given to us. I thought this was brilliant! I don't consider it a cop-out, but just insurance against human error. I can't even go to Kroger without my 5-item grocery list put into my iPhone, let alone remember the prayer requests that I acquired throughout the day. By praying this authentically each night, I can rest assured that God has heard my desire for these prayers to be answered.
The other thing that I have started doing is praying immediately after the request is made. This works best when it comes through email or text sometime during the day. I stop what I'm doing and say a short but heartfelt prayer. Rest assured that when I text you back that a prayer has been said, I have just said my closing, "Amen".
The last thing that you should know is that I don't necessarily pray for the outcome that you have asked for, nor do I ask God to bring my desired outcome when I pray about my own situations. I pray that His will would be done, but that we would find comfort in Him and we would learn from the situation if it does not end the way we wish. I pray that we will see His guidance clearly and that He will give us the strength to follow that guidance.
These methods of prayer are hopefully not disturbing to those that I pray for. They have allowed me to pray to more often, more genuinely and with much more joy in my heart.

Prayer has become a regular practice in my life. My husband and I fumble over the words less frequently as we pray each night in the dark, holding hands in our bed. My daughter sat with me while I frantically prayed that my mom would be healed and comforted by the Lord's touch when she fell in her driveway while we were visiting. I was led by the Spirit to pray with my entire family for safe travels and comfort for our hurting hearts, and I actually followed through with it!
I'm here to tell you that it gets easier. Try it when you feel led to do it. It's never as bad as you imagine it will be. Consider it an act of service to the person or people you are praying with...They will be so glad that it didn't have to be them!