I was so encouraged this week when I received a text message saying: “Thinking of you and I wanted to know if there is one specific thing I could pray for you about?”
I thought about it for just a second before responding — I was just so thankful that someone would care enough for me to bring me “before the throne of grace” and mention my name and my specific request in their prayers to our Heavenly Father. I thought about the many gifts I have received in my life . . . and I truly believe this is probably one of the greatest things someone has given me. Prayer.
I’m not talking about how we casually exclaim “I’m praying for you” or “You’re in my prayers” and then ten minutes later they might be completely out of mind, much less our prayers. I’m guilty of it. I wish I had written it down or taken some time out of my day to stop and genuinely pray for those around me.
Prayer takes work. Prayer takes time. Prayer is a struggle at times. But prayer is POWERFUL. I don’t even think we can fathom the power our words can bring, uttered “in the name of Jesus.”
Jeremiah 33:3 says, “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”
D. L. Moody once said, “Every great movement of God can be traced to a kneeling figure.” I know I personally would not be who I am today if it wasn’t for the unseen heroes in my life who have faithful sought the Lord on my behalf.
James 5:16 says, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
Only eternity will show how many lives were changed through prayer.
If I could challenge you in one thing this week, it would be to take a few minutes to ask God who you could text, email, or write a letter to asking for one specific way that you can pray for them. It is the greatest gift you can give — I’m convinced of it.
