For many years, I’ve kept a list of people for whom I pray, some of whom I rarely or never see and have no way of knowing whether my prayers are being answered. However, occasionally, I either cross paths with one of them or with a member of their family and am filled with joy when I learn that prayers are being answered. Over the past few weeks, I’ve had several of those occasions.
At one of our recent book events, someone I worked with many years ago came and reintroduced herself to me. It was wonderful to see her. At some point, I told her, “I wanted you to know that I prayed for your son for years.” (She had shared her concerns about her son when we worked together, and he had also lived next door to us for a season.)
My old friend was so grateful for the prayers and told me that eventually her son had gone to prison. He told her, “I’m not here because of what they say I did, I’m here because God needed to get my attention.” Things are on the upswing for her son, and I was filled with joy that he recognized that God needed to get his attention.
Soon after that, we had an informal reunion with some of my former classmates. I’d begun praying for one of them ever since having a conversation with him at our 30th class reunion that had shown me he’d lost his way spiritually. I’d seen him several times since but had no opportunity to talk about spiritual things.
Not long ago as we sat with a small group of classmates and our spouses, T began talking about a show he was watching on television, When Calls the Heart. The show, set in 1910-1920 with morals and Christian values, is ready for the 13th season, but he’d gone back to watch from the beginning.
T loves the show and being reminded of how things used to be, and said he’s feeling so much better about himself. I marveled inwardly at how creative the Holy Spirit is in using whatever He knows will touch an individual’s heart.
Later, T mentioned that “one of my favorite preachers I watch on television is…” I’m trying to keep my jaw from dropping… He watches preachers on television? “One of the things I like about this pastor is that, at the end of every program, he encourages people to invite Jesus to come into their hearts.”
By now, I’m absolutely filled with joy at what God is doing in T’s life. Somewhere in one of the conversations, T talked about always wanting to be one of the nicest people around, which he is, but when I reminded him that it’s not being nice that will get us into heaven, he promptly agreed.
Before the trip where all of this happened, I was having various physical issues which were on the verge of becoming serious and came close to cancelling our trip. I told Donn, “I feel like I’m under attack. Maybe there’s an important reason for us to make this trip.” Now there’s no doubt in my mind that was the case.
During this same weekend, I also had an opportunity to talk to two of the spouses of my classmates about spiritual things and learned some things to rejoice about and some things I need to add to my prayer list.
So I hear our former foster son saying, “So what’s your point?” My point is that we should never give up. Luke 18:1 says, Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. It’s easy to become discouraged when we see and hear no evidence of spiritual change in the people for whom we are praying, especially if we have no contact with them or with anyone in their lives.
We must cling tightly to the realization that we don’t have to have contact with the person for whom we are praying for our prayers to be effective. The Holy Spirit is not limited by our lack of contact. Our prayers can be effective regardless of the distance that separates us.
Years ago, a friend had told me of his concern for his brother who had gotten involved in drugs. He wanted his brother to come live with him to get him out of the unhealthy environment he was in. One day, I felt a powerful anointing to pray for the brother. I stopped in the middle of the dining room and rebuked Satan’s hold on M, commanding him to release him in Jesus’ name.
Soon after, my friend called to tell me his brother had called and asked if he could come stay with him. While God may sometimes ask us to go to the person or country for which we’re praying, as He did with Ananias and Saul, the power of the Holy Spirit transcends every mile that separates us if that’s His plan.
Heavenly Father, give us the endurance we need to always pray and not give up. Empower us with the anointing of Moses who was an instrument used by God to set the captives free. Amen.
