October 12, 2016
The Gift of Prayer
Mary Southerland
Today’s Truth
Then people brought little children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them and pray for them (Matthew 19:13).
Friend to Friend
Praying for the people we love is one of the greatest gifts we can give them. And letting those people know we are praying for them is an important part of that gift. I was recently reminded that this truth applies to children as well.
Two of our grandchildren live in Kansas City, so we get to seem them every few days. My husband and I love it and are always looking for opportunities to spend time with them.
We invited Justus and Hudson over to meet our new worship pastor and his wife who have a set of triplets and a little boy about the age of Hudson. We turned all of the kids loose in our fenced-in back yard. After a toddler version of soccer and several turns on the swing set, I called,
“Time for a break! I’ve got cookies!” Six sweaty little bodies came running. And that’s when I heard the scream!
Justus had fallen and and cut his leg. It wasn’t a deep cut, but it was a cut on my grandson’s leg, which meant it was a big deal to him and to me!
Scooping him up in my arms, we headed inside where I held him until he stopped crying. I cleaned the cut, covered it with an antiseptic cream, and carefully placed a Paw Patrol bandage on it. I then prayed for Jesus to heal the cut, a prayer that sealed the deal for our grandson. Justus smiled up at me and said, “Thanks, Mimi.”
I didn’t see Justus for several days, but when I showed up to baby-sit him and his little brother, the first thing Justus said was, “Mimi, He did it!” I had honestly forgotten all about the cut and my prayer for Jesus to make it well … but Justus hadn’t.
Justus grinned, pointed to his leg where the cut was barely visible and said, “See? God made it all better! He answered your prayer!”
Awesome … right? But that is not all.
When Hudson cut his arm a few days later, Justus helped his mom clean and bandage the wound. Justus then prayed for Hudson and assured him that Jesus would heal him. And He did!
Justus believes that prayer works because his grandmother prayed and God answered her prayer. Justus then experienced the power of answered prayer when he prayed for his little brother and God answered his prayer. Justus, Hudson and I now pray together about many things – fear of the dark, monsters, “cwazy” drivers, and storms – basically anything that is a concern to their little hearts. It is a gift – to me and to our grandsons.
Are you giving the gift of prayer to the people in your life? Do they know you are praying for them?
We try to make prayer complicated, but it really isn’t. Prayer is simply a conversation with God. Our helplessness is our most powerful prayer. God does not listen for the eloquence of our words. He listens for the voice of our need.
Prayer isn't a religious exercise. It isn’t a holy vending machine and does not require us to jump through a certain number of hoops in order for God to hear and respond.
Prayer is the declaration of our total and utter dependence on God. When we pray, we are telling God that we are desperate for Him. We are saying “yes” to whatever the minute, day or future holds … even before we know what that may be.
We don’t have to drop to our knees or close our eyes to pray. Prayer is the continual conversation between our heart and the heart of God … in every part of our day.
Prayer should be our first response … not our last resort, and it should be as natural as breathing.
When someone asks you to pray for them – pray. Pray with them over the phone. Stop in the middle of the store or sidewalk and pray. Pray with your children on the way to school. Write a note of prayer to a hurting friend or just to bless a friend. Ask your waiter or waitress how you can pray for them.
Make prayer a gift that you freely give.
Let’s Pray
Father, I want to be a prayer warrior, a woman of God who lives in a constant state of prayer. Please help me see the needs in the lives of the people I love as well as those needs in the lives of people I meet every day. Teach me how to pray, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 that says: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
What do you think this verse means when it says to “pray without ceasing?” How can you apply this truth to your prayer life? What person needs to know that you are praying for them today?
More from the Girlfriends
We have over-complicated prayer! Prayer is simply talking with and listening to God. Most of us have the talking part down. The listening part – not so much! Get Dan Southerland’s book, Chair Time, to learn how to hear the voice of God in prayer.
Be sure to check out the FREE MP3s on Mary’s website and connect with Mary through email or on Facebook.
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