ON CHRISTIANITY

Christian evangelist the Rev. Billy Graham died Feb. 21. He wrote several weeks worth of columns before his death. The Arkansas Democrat

Gazette will continue to run his words in this space through his final column, which will run March 20.

DEAR REV. GRAHAM: I feel angry and embarrassed, because I asked someone in my church to pray about a problem I’m having — and almost immediately everyone knew about it. Shouldn’t she have respected my privacy? It’s the last time I’ll ever ask anyone to pray for me.

— K.P. DEAR K.P.: You don’t say if you asked this person to keep your request confidential — but even if you didn’t, she should not have shared it without your permission (especially if it was clearly sensitive or embarrassing). The Bible says, “A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much” (Proverbs 20:19).

Don’t let this keep you from asking others to pray for you, however. Prayer is one of our greatest privileges when we know Christ — including the opportunity to be partners with others in prayer. Paul repeatedly asked others to pray for him, especially when he faced opposition or discouragement. Should we not do the same? To some Christians he’d never met he wrote, “I urge you, brothers and sisters … to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me” (Romans 15:30).

Don’t let this incident become a barrier between you and others in your church — including this person. Let her know — gently and not in anger — that you were disappointed over what she did, and ask God to help you forgive her and not hold it against her in the future. The Bible says, “It is to one’s glory to overlook an offense” (Proverbs 19:11).

As a footnote, whenever anything disappointing or upsetting happens to us, we should always ask ourselves a simple question: What does God want to teach me through this? It may be patience, or forgiveness, or trust, or anything else — but always ask God to use it to make you more like Christ.

Write to Billy Graham in care of Billy Graham Evangenlistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201 or visit the website at