“I’ll Pray for You” — What We Mean, What We Avoid, and What Jesus Modeled
There are seasons where prayer feels natural… and seasons where it feels like the words just won’t come. Today’s conversation is for the in-between—when you want to stay close to God, but you’re not sure how.
Friends, we’re back with another Between the Pages episode, and this one honestly felt like such a full-circle moment for me. I got to sit down with my friend Grace—someone I’ve watched love Jesus with her whole heart, especially in the work she does with students and the way she shows up in real life, not just “church life.”
And we went straight into the deep end together. Because prayer is one of those Christian buzzwords we all say… but if we’re honest, it can turn into a reflex instead of a relationship. So we slowed down and asked: what if prayer was never meant to be polished? What if it was always meant to be present?
Key Themes + Takeaways
Prayer as presence, not performance. It’s not about sounding spiritual—it’s about staying close to the Father.
“I’ll pray for you” can be real… or a way to avoid. We talked about how that phrase can become a courtesy instead of an act—and what accountability can look like.
Quiet isn’t emptiness—it’s awareness. Even when you don’t “hear” God, something shifts when you sit with Him and notice what’s happening inside you.
The Bible calls out prayer-for-show. Matthew 6 reminds us prayer isn’t for an audience—it’s for communion.
Faith has legs. James 2 challenged us: prayer isn’t a substitute for action when someone has real needs in front of you.
Grace for the imperfect prayer life. If you don’t have the words, start simple. Pray the Lord’s Prayer. Show up as you are.
Our Favorite Quotes
“Prayer wasn’t something Jesus added to his life—it was the place he returned to again and again.”
“Sometimes it feels like prayer becomes a courtesy… not an actual act.”
“Jesus just wants a yap session. Just start talking.”
“It’s like free therapy every day.”
“I’m living in a five-year answered prayer right now.”
Chapter Markers
00:00 Prayer as home base, not a spiritual reflex
06:24 Staying in rhythm with the Father’s heartbeat
07:14 “I’ll pray for you” — comfort phrase or real commitment?
22:15 Matthew 6 and the pressure to pray “the right way”
32:08 James 2 — when prayer replaces action
38:02 Vision boards, timelines, and giving ourselves grace
46:54 The Lord’s Prayer and returning to simple trust
01:01:36 “Not my will, but yours” — dependence as the point
Your Turn
This week, I want to invite you into something simple—no pressure, no performance: Where have you been treating prayer like a last resort… instead of a place you return to? And what would it look like to show up as you are—even if you don’t have the words?
Listen Now: https://open.spotify.com/show/6JrJv7sCdAsAgJHWaK3tF2?si=896846e5074646d8
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