Tag Archives: prayer requests

Would you please pray for me…NOW?

Several times each day I see requests on social media for prayer. From Facebook to Instagram and Twitter, group Bible studies, countless emails and everything in between.  There are needs.

Endless needs.

The request usually goes something like this: “My daughter is in the hospital and I am worried sick, would you please pray?”

“I have a coworker whose husband left her and she needs prayer. Would you pray with me?”

“We just lost our grandson, we are devastated. Please pray for us.”

Of course, these are just examples but they mirror true requests that we all see every day.

The response?

“I will pray.”

“Praying!”

“Joining with you in prayer.”

“Believing and praying for your need!”

“Casting all your care upon Him for He cares for you…”

Again, these are examples and well-meaning replies. We all do it and thank God we do!

But speaking from experience, how many times do we reply with that good intention, to be sure and pray for them when our prayer time rolls around again? Then, when that happens, whether it is six hours, twelve hours or twenty four…we have forgotten the literal pile of requests that have accumulated throughout the day!

I am guilty. Sometimes I do not even mutter a simple prayer as I scroll through to the next one…I am in a hurry, I will pray later.

It doesn’t mean we have to go get our Bible, run to a particular spot and pray for 15 or 30 minutes.

It means to pray a sincere prayer, asking God to meet that need, right then, right there.

There would be hundreds of us, sometimes thousands, calling out the need all day long, when we see it, when we hear it, when we are asked…when we won’t forget.

I received an email from a missionary this week and he had an urgent need. He needed prayer. Right now.  His request for us?

Stop. Drop. Pray.

Stop Drop Pray

Whatever you are doing, wherever you are, Stop. Drop everything. Pray.

“What if I am driving?”

You can still pray! Don’t be careless, just call on His name!

I had another message this week from someone close to me. He related a story of their coworker who came to him at work saying her two year old grandbaby was at the ER right then. She was very upset and extremely concerned. She also wanted to be there. She just asked, “Would you be sure and pray?” My friend turned to her and he said, “Why don’t we do that right now?”

Then he just gently took her hand…and prayed. Right there. In the office. Nothing big and loud, nothing to draw attention, yet not hiding in a corner. He prayed a simple prayer of protection, healing and peace for all involved.

Naturally, she began to cry, as soon as he started to pray, but God showed up! Her countenance changed and she was so grateful that someone would actually PRAY, not just say they would pray

Have you tried that? Have you reached out when the need was urgent, when it just couldn’t wait, and prayed for a friend?

It will overwhelm them, comfort them, touch them like your promises may never do.

You know what will happen? They will feel Jesus! He will come, because you asked, and He will touch them, bless them, let them feel His presence near. That peace, that passes all understanding, will surround both of you as you release those burdens to the Savior.

Why don’t we make it our motto?

Stop. Drop. Pray.

If it is convenient, sure, get on your knees! Humble yourself before a mighty God and call on that Name above every Name!

But if you cannot do that, at least stop where you are, drop what you are doing, and pray. With your heart, pour the need out to God sincerely.

Watch what will happen and how it will increase not only your faith but those around you.

Because faith? Well, friend, it is contagious.

Here are some other posts on prayer that might encourage you: Ceaseless Prayer, But Prayer, Gossip and Prayerlessness, and Praying or Prying?

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The Journey: A Testimony

385528_2723047686824_1817893042_nSo happy to share a testimony with you from a beautiful lady that I had the privilege of working with for a short while a few years ago! We were living and pastoring a church in Northwest Missouri at the time and I had taken a job in an optometrist’s office. This is where I met Linda, we became instant friends. She is going to tell you her amazing story in her own words. You will be blessed!

I remember when I first went in to apply for the job, I saw something different in some of the ladies, but I could not figure out what it was. I just knew it drew me to them and I desired it. I also remember how devastated I was when Nannette left! You see I was drawn to her and the light I saw coming from her!

One day another co-worker, Joy, asked me if I would like to read the Left Behind book series. I wasn’t sure because it was so different than anything I had ever read before. She told me it was a series of twelve books, she would bring me the first book and if I didn’t like it I could stop. But if I enjoyed them, then she would bring the others, so I agreed.

This is what began my journey.

Shortly after beginning to read this series of books, several events occurred to bring me to where I am today. I was living with my fiancé and waiting for him to agree upon a wedding date, which never came!

During the 3 1/2 years that I was with him, I had to have foot surgery to repair a torn tendon. After 3 1/2 years he asked me to leave! Devastated, I did just that. I packed up everything and left. I got an apartment and continued working at Premier Eye Care. My daughter kept telling me that I needed to move to Kansas to be closer to her, so I started looking for jobs.

Within three months, I found two jobs that I had applied for and interviewed. I chose the one closest to my daughter’s house because I knew how to get there! You see, I am directionally challenged! I packed up everything and just as I was leaving, the other place called and offered me moving expenses to come and work for them. I still went with the job that was closer to my daughter. I moved in with her for three months in September of 2010, started my new job and was searching for a home. By December of 2010 I moved into my new home!!

Life was good, or so I thought.

My foot kept bothering me and I remember going to my daughter in tears crying, “I can’t do this, my foot hurts too badly!” We went back to my doctor in January, 2011 and she said that we had a few options.

The best case scenario was to amputate my foot!

We were in shock! We never expected to hear this information! My daughter suggested talking to a lawyer and seeing about getting disability. I did just that, but once I spoke with them and found out all it requires to be qualified as disabled, I was overwhelmed and knew that I would never qualify. So back to work I went.

Then one Sunday night, I was sound asleep in my bed and was awakened! You see, I heard a whisper that I was going to be fired from my job! You can imagine my panic, I had just bought a house, I just came from the doctor and may have to have my foot amputated! And now I may be fired from my job?!

My heart was pounding in my chest, I was hyperventilating and I was crying!

Then, I cried out to God, “I can’t do this anymore….please help me!”

The greatest PEACE came over me and I was able to fall back to sleep!

Three days later I was fired from my job! But, the good news is, because I had read the Left Behind Series, I started going to church and getting into Bible Studies before I lost my job! So, when I did lose my job my daughter called one of the ladies of the church, a strong Christian woman, and she came and sat with me! She prayed with me and cried with me during my hour of need!

I am not going to say it was easy, because it wasn’t. But because I knew my Lord and Savior, I was able to place everything down at His feet. I laid it all at the foot of the cross! I had no job, had just bought a house, may have to have my foot amputated, so many unknowns!

But I got into His Word! I listened to K-Love, a Christian music station and I kept my eyes on Jesus during this entire time!

I applied for disability, which usually takes 18 months to two years to get approval. I received mine in two months!

I found a different doctor and he discovered that I was walking around on a broken ankle due to the way the previous doctor had fixed my foot. I had two more 12-hour surgeries on my foot! He was able to save my foot and I can walk! I walk with a limp but I have my foot!!

I also faced a mountain of medical bills on paper that I knew I could not pay, but with God’s help I paid every single one of them and was never late! Now, I know that all of this happened for a reason because now I know God!

I mean, really know God!

Before, I thought I knew Him, but He has since then showed me otherwise!! I now work for my church as much as I can. I spend a lot of time in my chair with my foot elevated due to swelling. But I am doing the Lord’s work when He asks me to go! I can’t seem to get enough of His Word! I love having a relationship with Him and I crave that time together. He has been a faithful and trusting God. I do not know how I got through a day before without Him!

I usually am involved in numerous Bible Studies within my church. I input our Prayer Requests and Praises into the computer for our Pastors, staff, elders and prayer network to pray over each Tuesday!! I am excited that this September, I plan to attend BSF International. A nine year commitment to study the Bible with a group of women!

God is so good, all of the time!!

I am happy to announce that I am a Sister-in-Christ!!

Linda Sooter is a mother of three wonderful children, three beautiful granddaughters and one amazing grandson. She fills her days by spending time in God’s Word, Bible Studies and working at her church. It seems that God is pointing her to women who are struggling with depression and who are suicidal. So ironic, since all of her life she dealt with her mother who was depressed and suicidal. She enjoys crocheting, knitting, reading Christian books and Christian music.

 

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