I grew up knowing there were people praying for me. My grandparents prayed for me. My parents prayed for me. When I was married then I felt the prayers of my in-laws. I had stepped into even more prayer covering.
As the years went by we lost all of our grandparents and began to pray in earnest for our children. We began to understand the burden of intercessory prayer and the importance of having someone “in our corner.”
In the last few years we are learning that this life is not indefinite. Our parents will not be here forever. Facing that reality has been difficult. We’ve also noticed that during this time our “prayer covering” feels lacking.
I also realized that we are supposed to take up the slack. We need to become prayer warriors and not just for ourselves and our immediate needs. We need to be praying with an intercessor’s heart reaching out and praying where the Spirit will lead us to pray.
I am reminded of the “shortened” prayers I heard my grandma and grandpa pray when I visited them. They would mention by name their children, their spouses, the grandchildren and their spouses, the extended families of in-laws, and the great grandchildren.
“Lord, I bring to your remembrance … Guide them today and keep them safe. Bring them to a sure knowledge of your presence in their lives. Show them your love and your grace. Bring a full measure joy and peace into their hearts today.”
Have I been spoiled? Yes!
Go – make me a prayer warrior. Help me to reach out beyond myself and my family. Help me to touch the world through prayer.
Ephesians 1:15-19 That’s why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn’t stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I’d think of you and give thanks.
But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!
