Praying for Those Around Us
We all have a “little world” of people around us for whom we can pray. This illustration about my friend Dawn happened some years back. Today someone in her workplace situation might not be allowed to be as bold about her faith as she was then. But we can pray for others, even if they don’t know it.
Trina, a pregnant woman struggling with bouts of vomiting and dehydration, checked into the hospital in an attempt to avoid miscarrying her third child. Dawn was the nurse assigned to help her get settled in the room and begin her treatments. While unpacking Trina’s suitcase Dawn pulled out a paperback version of the Bible and told Trina that it was her favorite book.
“It used to be my favorite too,” Trina told her glumly.
“Well, maybe God’s giving you some time to spend with Him while you are here for rest and recuperation,” Dawn said, then asked if she could pray for her. When Trina said yes, Dawn prayed for healing for the mother and the baby—especially that Trina would have the strength to carry it full term. “Lord, make Yourself known to Trina in a powerful way these next few days,” she finished.
Dawn’s nursing shift changed, and patient and nurse didn’t see each other again. Six years later, Trina attended a women’s conference where I was teaching on prayer. Dawn had come as my prayer partner and I asked her to lead a worship chorus to open the meeting.
After the session was over, Trina rushed up to Dawn. “I recognized your voice when you began to sing today. You are the nurse who prayed for me to carry my baby full term. Today we have a healthy, beautiful 6-year-old daughter,” she said.
Tina went on to tell Dawn that while still in the hospital she turned her life over to the Lord, completely. She also began to pray persistently for her husband, a professional musician who played music in bars and clubs. Not only did he start going to church with her, he gave his life to the Lord too. And a man in their church began to mentor him. Her husband was now a musician in their church and they had plans to open a facility to help young women in crisis situations.
Donna had spent just a few minutes with the patient in a hospital room where she worked, yet her prayer helped change Trina’s life, which expanded to her husband and their family.
I don’t think this was a happenstance encounter between two women at our conference. I believe once in a while God gives us a peek at how He used us in ways we did not yet know. Just to encourage us to keep praying.(1)
And we can be faithful to pray for the people who come across our path—even if we don’t know them.
Prayer: Father, thank You for directing our steps and enabling us to pray for those You show us. Keep us sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading so we can be Your ambassadors wherever we go. Amen.
Scripture: Pray for one another…The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. (James 5:16 NASB)
Footnote:
- Cast Your Shadow: Influence on Purpose, Quin Sherrer, Amazon, 2018, pp.68-69.
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