Opus 2025-199: Prayer Requests

At least twice a week we have a time for sharing prayer requests at church.  There’s nothing unusual about this.  Most of you have been through a similar experience.  At first it seems like just a long list of aches, pains, cancers, and other really serious situations.  When I’m in the wrong mood it seems almost dangerous to go to church because there is so many problems I don’t want to catch.

Attitude and perspective can change many things.  As I get to know the people over the years and as I watch and listen to their attitudes and perspectives, I find myself being encouraged.  I’ve lived a pretty sheltered life in many ways.  I wonder how I will respond when I go through the deep waters.  Watching these people, and the joy of the Lord that radiates from them in the midst of their cancer is encouraging.  Being made aware of intense pain they may be going through and still have a smile on their face is uplifting.

What I’m saying is that while the prayer requests are actually given so that we pray, it may be that one of the reasons we share is because that experience lifts us all up.  A group of the seniors get together on Fridays at a local restaurant.  We had a couple that came for the first time in a long time this week.  She had been through multiple serious struggles.  He’s been our prayer list for quite a while because of intensive pain, and how the treatment given by the doctor had made it even worse.  It was a joy to see them out and moving.  I could look down the table and be aware of some of the struggles that different ones we’re going through.  It’s not that everyone was in the depths of despair or falling apart, but there were enough issues in the group to make me rejoice in their presence.  They took the time and made the struggle to come out and be a part of our fellowship.  It is an honor to be a part of them.

So when someone asked you to pray for them.  Do it.  Don’t forget the spiritual aspects of their need.  People often overlook that.  But also remind yourself that this is evidence of God’s hand at work, not only in their lives but in yours.

homo unius libri