Several weeks ago on a Saturday morning I texted our Pastor to ask if he would please pray that I would feel well enough so that Brian and I could be IN church the following morning instead of watching the service by way of the live stream. We are extremely thankful for the live stream which our church provides, but it's just not the same as being IN church!
Brian and I had missed out on worshiping the Lord with our church family for five weeks in a row, and we truly longed to be there together with our family!
I know there's some of you reading this post who can no longer get out to be with your church family due to chronic illnesses, and my heart truly aches for you. Please know I'm praying for you my dear friends.
As I mentioned at the beginning of the post, I sent the text to our Pastor around 10 in the morning, and to be totally honest, I was a little surprised I never heard back from him throughout the entire day. But I figured he was super duper busy, and I know he prays for Brian and I so much of the time anyway, so no big deal!
I finally found out at 10:30 that evening why I never heard back from him!
I did NOT send the text message to my contact listed in my phone as "Pastor", I sent it to my contact listed in my phone as "Publix"!
For those of you wondering who or what "Publix" is, it's a huge grocery store chain. I use their in-store pharmacy so that's why their phone number is stored in my cell phone!
So Publix, instead of Pastor, ended up with my text message to pray for me to be able to make it to church on Sunday!
I don't know for sure if they receive text messages or not? But if they do, I wonder what the person on the receiving end thought of my message!
Who knows, maybe, just maybe, a Publix employee was praying I could get to church that Sunday!
Now that
would have
been awesome!
Brian and I got a good laugh out of it, but here's something which is a TREMENDOUS blessing and a GREAT encouragement!
The Lord did indeed allow us to make it to church that Sunday morning even after a very tough night of dealing with my symptoms on Saturday night and just "knowing" there would be NO way I would feel up to going to church on Sunday morning!
BUT GOD
had other plans!
HALLELUJAH!
When Brian and I walked into church that morning, two people approached me and told me they had prayed specifically I would feel well enough to be in church that morning!
I never mentioned it to them!
I didn't ask them to pray!
Never said a word to them!
They had NO idea how desperately I desired to be in church!
The one person shared that he began praying on and off throughout the afternoon and evening and prayed specifically that Brian and I could be in church the next day!
The other person came to me and simply shared she had prayed earlier that morning that I would feel well enough to be in church!
I held back the tears as best as possible as I thanked both of them!
I told them how much I appreciated their prayers, but my words could never do justice for the abundant gratitude, sheer joy and overwhelming thanksgiving which was overflowing within my heart!
This was something that touched me beyond words!
No amount of money can be placed on this demonstration of love and act of giving of one's time to pray for another person!
I take prayer very seriously. Honestly it's what gets me through each and every day. Every moment of every day.
In order to walk through my day, (literally!) I must be in constant communication with the Lord. Asking for His help in walking, showering, getting meals prepared, etc. Not to mention needing His wisdom, comfort, peace and all that He pours out!
PLEASE don't think for a moment that what I just wrote was written in a prideful way.
Oh, no, not at all. NEVER EVER!
It was written with complete honesty, sincerity and gratefulness.
With a totally thankful heart rejoicing I can pray and have the Lord walk with me each moment of each day hearing and answering my prayers.
What a privilege
NEVER
to be taken
for granted!
That Sunday morning a few weeks ago, I believe with all my heart that praying friends prayed me to church! You see, when I went to bed on that Saturday night I was feeling very poorly and there was NO way I would have made it to church feeling the way I was, BUT GOD made a way through praying friends!
Maybe even people praying from Publix!
Lessons Learned:
- Always check and recheck the recipient of your text message before hitting send! LOL!
- Give thanks to the Lord for the praying friends He has placed within your life. Learn from those friends and become a praying friend as well!
- When the Lord impresses someone upon your heart don't ignore Him. You don't need to know specifics to pray for others. Just obey the prompting of the Holy Spirit, pray for the person and leave the results with the Lord!
- If you get a chance, let the person know you are praying for them. If you can't tell them in person you can always send a text message (make sure you're sending it to the correct person!) Or give them a call, send an email message or a card.
I don't know about you, but when a person let's me know they're praying for me it's extremely humbling to realize someone is actually stopping and taking time out of their day to lay my burdens before The Throne of God!
WOW!
Prayer is one of the very best gifts you can possibly give to another person.
By God's grace
I'd like
to offer
that gift
to you!
If you have a difficult life circumstance, are in need of prayer for a loved one, dealing with a chronic illness, whatever the need may be, it would be my absolute joy to pray along with you.
Please feel free to contact me with your prayer requests at barb@castingyourcare.com.
Please know anything you share stays between you, me and the Lord, and I will never share your email address.
I just desire
by the grace
of the Lord
to be a
praying friend
to you!
"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
Hebrews 4:15-16
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May God Bless You,
Barb
Diane
August 1, 2018 at 11:51 amThe Lord works in mysterious ways and we are privileged to be on the front row watching. That's exciting!
Our new grandson was born late June. Dady went back to work 2 weeks ago and came home with a cold. It made the rounds in there home & we thought it was gone. But after a visit over the weekend Gramma came home sick, with the cold. Rest is the best medicine my nurse daughter tells us. So I rest and am glad I can rest.
Reading your story has helped me realize I am thanking the Lord for giving me a time out. He knows this daughter of his needs quiet solitude to regroup thoughts and pick the best path forward. And there has been precious little time for that lately.
Our God is a good God! Amen!
Barb
August 2, 2018 at 12:47 pmDiane, I'm always so glad when I hear from you! And, yes, God definitely does work in mysterious ways!
I pray by now you are feeling much better. Sometimes the Lord sends colds or other situations to cause us to slow down for a bit so that we can rest and regroup. And although I'm not happy you felt sick, I'm glad you had that special time to rest physically and spiritually with Jesus. Thank you once again for your comment and your faithfulness to the posts. You are a great blessing and encouragement to me ❤❤
Sandra Platt
August 1, 2018 at 12:19 pmBarb, I got such a giggle out of your story! Praying is such a privilege,isn't it? Our God is an awesome God!
Sandy Platt
Barb
August 2, 2018 at 12:51 pmMy sweet Sandy, I was hoping that my story would cause others to LOL! Oh, YES, prayer is definitely a priviledge. A very special gift from God. Please know that I'm praying for you my dear, sweet friend. Sending you gentle hugs and loads of love ❤❤