A Smile, A Tear, and a Heart That Prayed for Others

A few days ago, I took part in a night vigil of prayer along with my wife. About twenty of us remained awake in prayer from 7 p.m. until 6 a.m., placing before the Lord various intentions: world peace, those in authority and our leaders, families, the younger generation, the protection of human life, and the safety and well-being of those affected by natural disasters. We also spent the night singing songs of praise and worship.

Almost everyone in the group was well known to me. There was also a prominent personality from the film industry who was a full-timer. However, I was not familiar with a few of the younger participants. Since there were only one or two brief breaks during the night vigil, there was no opportunity to get to know them.

Most of the night was devoted to worship and intercessory prayer for various common intentions. During the final hour, however, we prayed for the personal intentions of each person in the group. One by one, each person stood before the others, shared his or her prayer intentions, and the rest of us prayed together for that person and his or her needs.

It was during this time that one young woman stood out. She was the only one who broke down and wept both while sharing her needs and while being prayed over.

I also noticed that she was the only one who spoke in English, both during the intercessory prayers and while sharing her personal intentions. She was from another state and was living here.

What amazed me was that this young woman had come to spend an entire night in prayer, sincerely seeking the well-being of others, while deep within her own heart there was a burning ember of personal pain.

There was something profoundly moving about it.

We often see people who appear cheerful and strong, yet carry burdens that no one else knows about. Her smile had concealed a pain that became visible only when she stood before God and opened her heart.

The prominent personality from the film industry also surprised me with his personal prayer intention. He did not ask for greater success, recognition, or any personal favour. His prayer was simply for the grace to spend more time in the presence of God in prayer.

That, too, left me deeply moved.

One person carried her own pain and yet came to pray for others.

Another considered the grace to spend more time with God to be one of the greatest blessings he could receive.

That night reminded me that prayer is not merely about bringing our needs before God. It is also about carrying the burdens of others while carrying our own, and choosing God’s presence even when life is difficult.

Perhaps some smiles are not signs that everything is fine. Perhaps they are gifts offered to others in the midst of one’s own pain.

And perhaps some tears are not signs of weakness, but of a heart that has found the courage to become completely honest before God.

Shaji Joseph Arakkal, Ernakulam