It is very easy for a person to slip into Christian ease, saying phrases like, "I'll pray for you" or "I'll have to pray about that" without really thinking about it. But the danger is that these phrases can become a form of taking the Lord's name in vain. When we use the promise to pray for someone as a way of avoiding the possibility of becoming more intimately involved in their troubles, or as a way of wrapping up an uncomfortable discussion with someone, essentially what we do is take in vain the privilege and power of God's listening ear. Prayer is not to be seen as the least expensive commitment you can make toward someone else, but the most sincere and effective form of help you can give them. But we are not to end our commitment there. There will be times when we must jump down into the trenches with others and be willing to lend whatever form of help they need. This may cause some personal discomfort, but sharing someone's load has a way of binding hearts together, creating the bond of unity that Christ greatly desires in His children.
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