Pocket card · free
A free pocket card for offering to pray on the street. Ask permission, pray in a few sentences, and tell the truth if nothing changes. Prayer does not replace a doctor.
Ask: Can I pray for you? It takes less than a minute, and it is completely fine to say no.
Prayer: Jesus, thank you for {name}. You see {need}. Meet them with your kindness. If there is pain, bring relief. If there is fear, bring peace. Show them you are near and that you love them. In your name, amen.
Pregunta: ¿Puedo orar por ti? Toma menos de un minuto, y está bien decir que no.
Oración: Jesús, gracias por {name}. Tú ves {need}. Encuéntrale con tu bondad. Si hay dolor, trae alivio. Si hay miedo, trae paz. Muéstrale que estás cerca y que le amas. En tu nombre, amén.
Step 1
Say you would like to pray, that it will take less than a minute, and that no is a fine answer. Wait for a real yes.
Step 2
One sentence is enough: a pain, a person, or a fear. You do not need the diagnosis or the whole story.
Step 3
Use their name. Ask Jesus for help. Stop before it turns into a sermon. A short prayer they can follow is better than a long one they endure.
Step 4
If something eased, thank God out loud. If nothing changed, say so honestly. Do not invent a result, and do not blame them.
Step 5
If they want to stay in touch, write their name and the request in a sentence you would read back to them. If they are open, tell them why Jesus matters. If they are in danger, help them get care.
Ask if you may pray, say it will take less than a minute, and wait for a yes. Ask what they want prayer for, then pray in a few sentences using their name. Honour a no immediately.
Say what is true. Thank them for letting you pray, and do not pretend something happened. You can offer to pray again later. Nothing changing is not their fault, and it is not a reason to argue.
No. Prayer is not a substitute for a doctor, a prescription, or emergency care. Never tell someone to stop treatment, skip a dose, or ignore danger. If they need help now, help them get it.
Write their name if they offered it, the request in a sentence you would read back to them, and whether they asked you to follow up. Leave out the diagnosis, medications, and family conflict.
The longer teaching is how to offer to pray for a stranger. If the need is sickness, read how to pray for someone who is sick. If you promised a text, copy it from the text to send.
Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.