Prayers gonna pray pray pray

Yesterday was check-up time with my Bible Study Group.  As prayer time began and it was my turn to submit my requests, I first asked if the gals had anything for me.  They kind of looked blankly at me and then I reminded them of how last week I had asked them to write me a prayer.  Realization came to some of their eyes as they suddenly remembered what they had been asked to do but hadn’t.  Well, except for two of the gals who weren’t there last week.  And Kristy.  But I’ll write more about her in a moment.

Saddened but hiding it in humor (my go-to fix) I declined the offer to share my requests since they hadn’t prayed for me last week.  “Why ask if you aren’t going to do your part,” I questioned, with a mock-offended tone and my hands held out in protest.  And then came the responses that made me ashamed of myself.  

“When I drive past your road, I say a prayer for you.  That’s when God brings you to my mind” said one gal, as she explained how writing just wasn’t her thing.  

Kristy--again, I’ll get to her later--smiled at me in camaraderie, because she had done her part.  And then, the sweet gal beside of me, pulls out a sheet of paper, handwritten, from the Book of Colossians, where she had been specifically praying for me as she wrote her conversation to the Lord about me but hadn’t finished it yet.  

Wow.

Did I mention I was humbled?  

Sigh.

Okay, let’s get to Kristy now.  I love this little lady!  She is one of the sweetest souls I have ever met and I weekly delight in how she is growing in the Lord and how her inner light blesses me and so many others.  For example, on Tuesday I received a message from her, with a prayer she had prepared for me from Ephesians 6:10-18.  I was so touched!  We talked back and forth for a few minutes and she let me know that she had received her note from me earlier in the day and how it had come and said what she needed at just the right time.  Don’t you just love when God works that out?!  Me too!

We all have our own ways of praying and lifting each other up.  Mine is mostly through writing while another’s is done through “drive-bys.”  Then there are those who just pray at specific and/or designated times.  Others will only do it when strongly impressed to.  But the kicker here is to pray.  When you can.  Where you can.  How you can.  As often as you can.  For you see, when we talk to Jesus about one another, we have an Advocate Who listens and is able to touch the needs addressed.  We have a Friend Who gives us His whole-hearted attention, whether that be for a minute, a moment, or more.  And the results of these conversations with our Lord can have lasting results and make changes not only in the one we are praying for but in us as we take the time to speak to Him.  

In conclusion, I timed myself yesterday as I was praying for my special person.  Less than three minutes was all it took.  Three minutes to devote to my friend as I mentioned her name to the Father as I prayed I Corinthians 13 over her.  Today I purpose to say that prayer again but pausing more as I consider where she is on her journey, where I wish she was, and how I am going to trust God to see that she completes her race.  I shall look at her paper I created and reflect on those verses throughout the day.  I shall ponder and pray because she is worth this to me.  

As you glance at the meme I posted today, I ask that you consider giving me three minutes of your time.  Repeat the words of scripture or use your own.  Can you imagine what God might do if a few of you lifted me up to Him with these words?  Ol’ Stef might finally get straightened out and be a vessel of glory and honor.  Now that would be something!