Thinking “GOOD THOUGHTS” Crippled His Faith Walk

This just in from our global online tribe: Is telling someone who is hurting in some way that I will “THINK GOOD THOUGHTS” for them the same as saying I will pray for them if they know I’m a Christian?

No.
  
While thinking “good thoughts” is a nice gesture, it is not a prayer because the power of Christ has not been activated. And, importantly, it skips right past the opportunity to witness for God.
  
But I definitely understand the question. All of us have no doubt had someone—or heard of someone in another setting—deliver this “good thoughts” line with its polite underpinnings and friendly tone.
  
It’s certainly better than saying nothing. But why would we suppress our faith and its witness at a time when someone is hurting or needs our encouragement?
  
The Enemy loves it when we send our “good thoughts” to someone instead of praying to the Lord of Heaven and earth. The words are hollow and he knows it better than anyone.
  
It does seem a little silly, doesn’t it? It’s not like there are special powers behind the “good thoughts” we send people. It’s nice. But it’s surely not God.
  
But there is ONE very good thing about someone who sends “good thoughts.” They resisted the urge to say: “I’ll pray for you” and then NOT DO IT! 
  
Telling someone we are praying for them—and not doing it—might be what we think they want to hear, or what might fit in with today’s social compact, but it is hypocritical…and wrong.
  
What would the world look like today if every “good thought” line delivered by a Christian was a specific prayer to God?
  
I ask God to keep me away from using hollow statements. That my words be a blessing to others and bring glory to him.
  
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
  
Are you capitalizing on every opportunity God gives you to pray for someone or something?
  
“A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” Proverbs 25:11