This past Sunday, as I drove to church I had a strange thought in my mind: Have
so-and-so pray for you. I was a bit confused. "Why would I have so-and-so pray for me?" I thought to myself. As a matter of fact, why would I need prayer from anyone? I wasn't in any harm or experiencing a pressing trial. When again the same thought came to my mind again.
OK Lord, you're on to something.
At a red light, I sent a text to my friend (the Lord was very specific in bringing this person's name to pray for me): "Can you pray for me. I don't know for what but I feel like I need prayer." As soon as I hit send, so many different scenarios played in my mind. What if I am involved in a tragic car accident? What if I am about to suffer serious injuries in a freak car accident? Or is it that something will happen at church? Maybe some crazy person will confront me? Or may I need to guard my heart from a wolf in sheep's clothing? I literally had to stop myself.
The car accident paranoia leaves as I arrive safely to church. I walk in to the sanctuary and no crazies attacked me. I soon forget my worries and also the fact that the Lord had prompted me to ask for prayer.
Little did I know that as soon as worship was over and the teaching about to begin, an usher walks up to me and asks me to serve. He tells me, "You know I wouldn't ask you unless you were my last resort." And so, I get up and go serve to a ministry that I am not a part of and not ready for. What could go wrong went wrong and I was feeling like a failure. I even froze when I began. Out of nowhere, I began to speak boldly and with confidence, both of which were not there a second ago.
As soon as the service was over, the Lord reminded me of my request for prayer. OH! That's why the Lord prompted me to ask for prayer. He knew that I would need it. He reminded me of an important lesson: ASK for prayer. We have to be obedient and ask for prayer... it's like picking up the phone and asking the operator for help. Thank God for friends who are like operators, connecting us to the One who can help.
Do you have a friend like that?
I encourage you to ask a friend or myself to pray for you, whether it be a direct prayer request or maybe one as vague as mine. Call, text, email or Facebook that friend and say, "Operator, please connect me!"
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For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:19
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Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior. 1 Timothy 2:1,3
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Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope He has given to those He called—His holy people who are His rich and glorious inheritance. Ephesians 1:15-18
