This month in worship, we’ve been learning more about our responsibility to care for one another. Jesus teaches us that we are to be a blessing to the world around us and lift one another up in prayer.
One of our church members told me a story that I think is worth sharing. This person’s experience highlights God’s power of blessing when we are attentive to the Spirit’s direction.
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“It had been a very hectic morning – so hectic that I had not had time to prepare a salad that I needed to take to my Bible study that evening.
“It’s okay,” I thought. “I’ll run by the grocery store when I leave work, pick up what I need, run home, prepare the salad, and still make it to the Bible study on time.”
I entered the grocery store and started down the aisle when I passed an acquaintance, to whom I smiled and spoke, and hurried on my way. When I got to the next aisle, God said, “Ask her to your home.”
“Ask her to my home?” I thought, “I can’t do that now, God, or I’ll be late for my study group!”
“Ask her to your home,” God said to me again, plain as day!
I stood there a moment more than a bit flustered, and then, with quiet resolution, I retraced my steps until I once again stood near the lady.
“Would you like to come by my house?” I asked secretly, hoping that she would say, “No.”
“Why yes, I would,” she replied. “Thank you so much for the invitation.”
All the way home from the store, I prayed, “God, I have no idea what all this is about. I have no idea what I am supposed to do or say, so please help me know what to say and when to say it. Please lead, guide, and direct me as I visit with this woman.”
It wasn’t long before the woman walked through the door. I didn’t have to wonder but a moment what this was all about because she immediately began to cry. Sitting on the couch, she poured out her heart to me. She was in an inappropriate relationship with someone, she explained, and she just needed to talk. “I’m so thankful that you asked me here today,” she cried, “because I feel you can help me.”
Seated on the couch, we talked for more than two hours and prayed while the salad fixings sat forgotten on the kitchen counter. At the end of that time, she came to realize that her family was too important to lose over another man, and she agreed to end her relationship with him.
As the lady left and I put away my unused groceries, I continued to pray for her and for her family. I was also reminded of the story in the eighth chapter of Acts when an angel of the Lord instructed Philip to go to the desert road. Philip obeyed, and on his way, he met an important Ethiopian official to the queen. Because of this meeting, Philip was able to tell him the good news about Jesus, and the man believed and was baptized.
The Ethiopian in the Bible was saved, and so was the lady’s family. Since that day, I have made a concerted effort to slow down and become better at being aware of those around me. I try to watch for those near me who might be in need.
I have become better at seeing the hurt on faces around me. I try to watch for signs of loneliness or despair, and for all these folks I whisper prayers to our God on their behalf. I try to give hugs or ask the right questions. I try to make sure each person knows that I care and that I am ready and willing to help in any way I can. But more importantly, I now spend more time in intercessory prayer.
I believe that intercessory prayer is such a powerful thing. I keep a tiny notebook in my purse, and I jot down names of folks who are sick or troubled. It takes only a few moments of my time to pray through this notebook each day. It is my gift to those individuals.
It costs me nothing, but it could mean everything to them.”