Powerful & Effective

While driving to work this morning, I became aware of something, “Where’s Linda?” Linda is a gal I see riding her bike every morning, she is but a speck of light at first with a head lamp on her forehead and flashing back light. I have never met Linda. I gave her that name, frankly from a holiday family gathering. We were all loudly engaged in energetic conversation, when all of a sudden my Grandmother blurts out “Who’s’ Linda?” The room silenced, all eyes on Grandma, we ALL busted out laughing, there was NO mention of Linda in the conversation. So, now the saying goes, “Who’s Linda?”

For the past few month, this Linda and I pass each other every work day. I have begun to pray for her. She not knowing. But it doesn’t matter. Our paths intersect for a reason. So I pray. I pray for her safety on the road, for any unknown needs, that while she rides YOU, God are speaking to her. This particular morning, I didn’t see her. For never meeting this gal, my heart sank. However, about a ½ mile up the road, there she was. I again began our morning routine, unknown to her!

Prayer, an amazing thing. Some make it more complex than it is, more lengthy then needed and by golly more King James than understood. Paul shared multiple times about our CALL to pray for one another. For starters, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” Phil. 2:3-4. He then bluntly states, “Brethren, pray for us.” – 1 Thess. 5:25. Again, “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” – 1 Timothy 2:1-2. James shares, in a more intimate environment, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. – James 5:16 (emphasis mine) Astonishingly, this was said of Job in the Old Testament, “The LORD restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the LORD increased all that Job had twofold.” – Job 42:10.

Prayer, simply coming to our God, and talking to Him. Often we speak on behalf of another, I would venture to say, most of our conversations may be as quick as “O God, help!” One of my most favorite moments of the day, is when Mark, my husband takes me in his arms, placing his face alongside mine, feeling his breath in my ear, he tenderly prays over us, our children and our day.

Prayer, whether it be in the arms of a loved one, on our knees on behalf of the nation, face down in battle for deliverance or heart bowed while driving by a stranger, let us converse. May it be said of us as said of Job, “ The LORD…” (“The LORD restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the LORD increased all that Job had twofold.” – Job 42:10.)

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Heb. 10:24)