Trusted Prayer Partners

The first time someone asked if they could pray for me, I was stunned. That had never happened to me before and I didn't know what to say or how to act. I was facing surgery, and that too was new for me. This woman took my hands in hers and began to call upon God for my healing. She prayed for the surgeon also and then she closed with praise to God for all that He was going to do for me.

"And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well." (James 5:15)

To say I was speechless would be understating the facts. If I were honest I would have to admit that her prayers unsettled me a little. They got me to thinking that maybe things were more serious than I thought. But, you know what? On the other side of this situation I can see that she wanted me to be safe and if I wasn't going to be healed, she wanted me to be safely in the Savior's Arms. That was a friend indeed.

Prayers build trust. Trust provides opportunity for prayers to be uttered. Sort of a two-way street. Since that first encounter with someone who prayed, my faith has grown and my trust in prayer and in those who pray is big. Early in my faith walk - before this encounter - I was given a book written by Evelyn Christenson titled, "What Happens When Women Pray." I read that book, cover to cover and was enthralled by the stories of prayer.

God had a plan for me which included this gift, this powerful gift of prayer. I have many stories to

share about prayer and the way God developed it in me. My desire for prayer is the very thing that brought my two prayer partners into my life 12 years ago.

This is a relationship which began with an invitation and evolved over time to be three women caring for one another in many life-changing situations. The trust that has been born from this relationship will last forever. We often share with one another the Hope we have because of Jesus and how our relationship bridges the years and covers the milestones in each of our lives.

James 5:13-16

Encourage One Another

Hebrews 10:19-25

 

²⁴ Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. ²⁵ And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another… NLT

 

Recently I met my daughter at our church to rehearse for a duet that we are singing. Between the sheet music, a water bottle and, oddly enough, four bars of soap, she had her hands full. She had brought the soap to donate to a ministry to the poor that our church is supporting. Her example was motivating.

 

Fourteen years ago, when I was going through a very dark and difficult time, a friend met with me for lunch and asked if I would want to get together each week and pray for one another. As a result, virtually every week for the past fourteen years, we have met for breakfast and done just that.

 

There are many ways that we can encourage one another in our faith. Sometimes it happens by example like my daughter, and other times it is intentional like my friend.

 

The above verses follow a passage that describes the sacrificial system that the Hebrews had followed for centuries. The problem was that the animal sacrifices never really took away their sins; it was just a reminder of them. However, Jesus was the sacrificial lamb that, once and for all, took away our sins.

 

What does that mean for us today?

 

²² …let us go right into the presence of God… ²³ Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm… ²⁴ Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. ²⁵ And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another…  NLT

 

What Jesus did for us was a miracle. However, don’t discount what we can do for one another. In a very real way, it was just as much a miracle that my friend reached out to me during those dark times, and helped pull me through “right into the presence of God”. He was the hands and feet of Jesus to me.

 

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2010%3A19-25&version=NIV;NLT
https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/Heb.10.19-Heb.10.25