Do you ever feel a tug in your heart that says pray here, now, silently, look. Then you look and you see someone whose heart is outside their body, their gaze dead and alone, their shoulders slumped. Or maybe, their eyes are bright and full of life, their picture on the cover of a magazine, but still, pray. Here. Now.
I prayed for a young woman. Her eyes were bold and fearless. She was telling a story of how Christians hurt her. My people, me, all of us. Oh, my God. Now she doesn't need You and we are monsters. Pray. Here. Now. So I did and then later I saw her again. Her eyes had softened. Maybe healed is the right word. She was talking about them again, my people who had hurt her, and it seemed like she had seen a sliver of love and that made the past better. It made me feel better anyway.
I saw a rock star yesterday having the time of his life on stage. He's grandpa-aged now, but can still kick his leg high in the air while spinning a mike stand. Oh, my God. And that is different than how I used to say it. I am different. The Lord bless you and keep you and give you peace.
When I was thirteen I was somewhere touristy, a place with trains, I think. There was a disheveled man there, maybe 80, maybe 70. He could have been younger or older. I was thirteen so almost everyone was older. As I stared out the window of the train I heard in my heart, pray. So I did that for years. Even when I needed prayer myself. Even when I was in darkness and couldn't see, I remembered that. I prayed for that man and I never knew who he was. That's like now, here. I don't know you, but I am praying for you.
They shall not labor in vain or bear children for calamity, for they shall be the offspring of the blessed of the LORD, and their descendants with them. Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.
Isaiah 65:23-24
Hi Sandi,
ReplyDeleteyes I have felt led to pray for many people, particularly our in the streets. I remember one young man running down the arcade to me when I was handing out my leaflets. He was waving a can of beer in the air. When he stopped he said I don't go to a church but would you pray for my mother who is quite ill. I said, 'of course I will', and thought how lovely it was to meet that young man.
my parents said they were christians. they went to church every sunday but they, more my dad, hurt me in ways i can not admit here. i will never fully recover. i have lost faith but i am ok!!
ReplyDeletei admire your faith, it is so strong...
I am sorry he (they) did that to you, Debbie. ...Hug... That's a heartfelt, weeping, true hug, even though it looks small.
DeleteGood thoughts bring good things.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Catalin.
DeleteAs you know I am not a believer. Thank you for caring.
ReplyDeleteThose little pulls to pray for someone are important. And sometimes so quiet, so I must admit that I need to pay better attention and be alert to those nudges.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written, my friend. And yes, there are times when I feel that nudge of the Holy Spirit saying PRAY HERE NOW! Sometimes we don't even know why or for whom, only that we must pray...and God hears us and knows exactly who it is for and what they need. I love that! And yes, we must follow those promptings of the Holy Spirit...for all we know it could be for someone we know and love and they need our prayers right then and now. We don't have to know the details of why...that's God's business! Our job is to obey His call to pray here now. Amen. Thank you for this post. I love this about you. I believe you do what you say. Amen.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pamela. Your kind words mean the world to me.💙
DeleteWell said.
ReplyDeleteYes I know that feeling when you feel compelled to pray. It's always a privilege to be able to pray for someone else.
ReplyDeleteI believe this is The Holy Spirit nudging us.
ReplyDeleteYes, I too have prayed for people I see. Sometimes a name will pop into my head and I stop and say a prayer for them too.
ReplyDeleteSo many times my prayers seem so random and jumbled and other times not so. I'll keep praying all those prayers and ask God to open my heart to those who need more prayer...
ReplyDeleteThat's so nice and thoughtful that you pray for those in need, Sandi. Yes,
ReplyDeleteit seems that we're in just the right place when someone needs our prayers.
And as I am visiting here, maybe it's a good time to pray for me and my
family. Thank you, dear Sandi.
love ya.
~Sheri
"Pray and pray hard". Yes. Everyday. Painful times...Thank you for this beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Louca.
DeleteGostei bastante do que li.
ReplyDeleteUm abraço e boa semana.
Andarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
Livros-Autografados
Obrigado, Francisco.
DeleteA silent prayer, even to people we do not know, is a gift of great value. Thank you for your prayers, Sandi.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
And thank yoy for yours, Victor.
DeleteI've been drinking dandelion tea for my bp and gallbladder health, hope it helps
ReplyDeleteLinda, that's why I started drinking it. It works wonders.
DeleteI pray for the drivers that are around me when I drive to work. Great power in prayer.
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful that even at the tender age of 13 the Holy Spirit was calling you to pray. Prayer is a powerful ministry, Sandi, and sorely needed. xx
ReplyDeleteWishing you a lovely day Sandi!
ReplyDeleteHi Sandi,
ReplyDeleteI have prayed for your sons to have good wives, which I am sure they will as being brought up by you they will know how to see the 'good' in people. God bless.
THANK YOU, Brenda. ❤️
DeleteThey are young now, just teens, but I want them to avoid the whole wide world and live in peace. I pray for good things. God bless you, sister.
Amen!
ReplyDeleteAmplified version of James 5:16 in response to your lovely post on prayer.❤️
Therefore, confess your sins to one another [your false steps, your offenses], and pray for one another, that you may be healed and restored. The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].
🙏❤️🙏
Thank you!!!
DeleteSee you in twenty minutes. 😀 We can pray big!
like everything else prayer you say for others will come back to you too dear friend Sandi :)
ReplyDeletewhen i raise my hand and i pray ,this is for all as one !
i wish and hope and pray may we all understand this reality that hate is destruction and love and kindness is creating ,and connecting souls which is essential for the good of all of us !
universe and creator has created us as whole and one and want us to stick as one forever .
...darkness is not undefeatable, but it's difficult at times.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful, Sandi. I love your big heart.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jeanie.
Delete