When people ask me to pray for them, I do

This is me, on my knees, with my Bible, prayer list, glasses and pen. Ma’s photo is on my dresser in the background. She is watching over me. And yes, I’m praying for you!

When people talk with me about their worries, struggles and dreams, I give them my undivided attention and listen attentively with love and empathy, not judging. I only give advice when asked because many times people only want someone to listen and they want to be comforted, encouraged and uplifted. When people ask me to pray for them or for family members, rest assured, I do. Even when they don’t ask, I pray for them anyway. Because we all need prayer!

My Mom, My Role Model

Growing up, my Mother, Mrs. Hyacinth, believed in the power of prayer and was always praying. She prayed for her family, friends, church and for anybody and everybody. My mother was a true prayer warrior. That woman of God would be on her knees for hours praying. Honestly, in those days I wondered how could she kneel on a thin rug on concrete floor for hours… amazing devotion. Once in a while I did it and my knees hurt. I did not have that dedication so I was not trying to do all that, okay.

During those years I didn’t understand the power of prayer but I do now. The beautiful and powerful image of Ma on her knees praying are engraved in my mind and heart forever. And now I do the same as Ma, praying on my knees sometimes for hours; the only difference is that I kneel on a cushioned pillow on wood flooring. Every day I thank God for my Mother, my role model. She taught me so much about being a woman of God and I didn’t totally grasp the value of her teachings until I rededicated my life to God and Jesus in 1999. “Her children arise up, and call her blessed…” Proverbs 31:28 (KJV). “Train up a child in the way he should go: And when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:5 (KJV). Ma, I love you and miss you and you will live in my heart forever.

I’m Praying For You

I keep a list of names

I keep a list of names of people I pray for and some of them don’t even know they are on my prayer list. First, I pray for their souls. I pray that if they are not saved, that one day they will hear a message that touches their hearts and leads them to accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Because at the end of our lives –because our lives will end one day– that’s the only thing that will matter… our final destination: heaven or hell.

I go into specifics

Then led by the Holy Spirit, I go into specifics with God about individual needs: marital problems, financial issues, health concerns, coping with the loss of a loved one, caring for aging parents, dating dilemmas, hope to marry or re-marry, baby mama and papa drama, ex-spouse making life miserable, teenagers and adult children challenges, girl/boyfriend and spousal mental and emotional abuse, conflicts at work with boss and/or co-workers, family feuds, looking for a job, career change, low self-esteem, low self-confidence, low self-worth, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, drug addiction, people in jail, regrets, getting over past failures and the list goes on and on.

I ask God for His will to be done

After I’m done with the specifics, I ask God for His will to be done in His perfect timing. Sometimes we may be praying for things that are not God’s will for us; things that are not in our best interest even though we may think so. Also, God’s timing is not our timing. God is always right on time! Then I pray that the person will feel God’s presence and experience the greatness of His love and peace. Then I thank God for what He has done, is doing and will do in the person’s life. Last, I ask for all things in Jesus’ name. Jesus said that if you ask the Father, in His name, you will receive. Jesus is our only way to God (John 14:6 and John 16:23).

God Answers Prayers

Then one day, out of the blue, I get a phone call or text message with good news from the person I’ve been praying for or about the person I’ve been praying for. YES, God answers prayers! Glory to God! Then I cross that particular request off my list. But I do continue praying for the person because we all need prayer. But yes, prayer works! You just have to trust God, believe that your prayer will be answered (if it’s in God’s will). Be patient because sometimes it may take God a little time or a long time to get things lined up. And even when you don’t get what you asked for, that’s your answer right there because God knows what’s best for you. Remember, God knows what you don’t know and you don’t know what He’s saving you from. Ask God to give you the peace that surpasses all understanding to accept His answer no matter what the answer is (Philippians 4:7).

Who am I praying for?

I’m praying for YOU! People I know and people I don’t know. That means anybody and everybody, even my enemies. I don’t care about the color of your skin, your political affiliation or your social status. Don’t care about what you wear, where you live, what you drive. I don’t have to agree with your choices, your lifestyle or what you say. Let’s put this to rest right now, no, I’m not a saint and I don’t claim to be one. I got issues just like you, trust me. All I do is what God tells me to do. I always hear God saying to me, “My beloved daughter, you do the right thing and I’ll take care of the rest because I am God Almighty.” God Almighty (El Shaddai) is our Judge and He will judge everyone of us accordingly. With that said, I pray for the President, Congress, local leaders, first responders, service members, Christians in the U.S. and all over the world and non-believers. I pray for people all over the world that are suffering unimaginable cruelty, abuse, devastations and tragedies. I pray for anybody and everybody because we all need prayer!

What are you praying for? Who are you praying for?

Bible Reflection

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” Ephesians 6:18 NLT

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone saved and to understand the truth. For there is only one God and humanity – the man Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 2:1-5 NLT

“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” James 5:16 NLT

From Deb’s  to yours…

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