“You can pray for me,” she said. “Anything specific?” I asked. Her brow knit as she contemplated how much to tell a stranger. “Could you just pray for me in general?” “Of course,” I replied. “Would you like for me to pray now or during my private prayer time?” “Can you do both?” “Sure,” I said, and I did.
I wear a 2 ¼ inch button that invites “MAY I PRAY FOR YOU?” It started at camp meeting. My brother and I are RN’s, and were sharing experiences of opportunities we’d had to pray with our patients, and how to “break the ice”.
“I wish I could just put a sign across my chest that says “I’ll pray for you if you want me to,” I’d offered. “Why don’t you?” he challenged, so the button was made and I’ve been wearing it ever since. And the Lord has blessed me with countless opportunities to pray with people, so much more than before I advertised it. I’d been aching to go on another mission trip where I could really feel used by the Lord. He showed me that I’m already there, and have been all along! And the blessings continue to overwhelm me.
I took her hand in mine, and knelt beside her hospital bed. I did not know her faith, or to whom she would address a prayer. But I prayed as though she were a fellow church member. After her “Amen” I looked up to find her crying, and a nurse’s aide who’d entered the room was wiping her own tears. I prayed with this patient every time I was assigned as her nurse, and staff members told me she’d ask if I was coming in on days she didn’t see me. The day she finally became strong enough to be discharged she had someone call me to swing by the hospital if I could. I found her dressed and waiting for me. She smiled and took my hands. “I want to pray for you and your work,” she said, and she offered such a beautiful heartfelt prayer that I’m sure angels cried with me.
My personal prayer life has been enriched as I intercede for those I’ve promised to lift up before the Lord. I spend more time with my Heavenly Father than ever before. More praises ascend from my lips as I thank Him for His goodness and unfailing love as evidenced by answered prayers. My confidence in Him grows firmer, my dependence on Him grows deeper, and my love for Him grows fonder as I walk with Him. Interceding for others has caused me to dig deeper into His word to find the blessed assurances and promises I need so I can share them with others. Now I wear the button everywhere. Several co-workers are on my prayer list. I’ve had grocery clerks, bank tellers, wait staff, and other strangers request prayer, and of course, my patients. I ask if there is anything specific, and if the person wants prayer now or at my private prayer time. Sometimes people share a particular concern, sometimes not. Some I have the privilege of seeing again, some I don’t. At times I’m asked what religion I follow, and when I say Seventh-Day Adventist I often hear “I have a friend”, or “I have a relative”, or “I used to work with a Seventh-Day Adventist”, and conversation ensues about our beliefs and the similarities we share.
Four of my co-workers are wearing “MAY I PRAY FOR YOU?” buttons now. One is a Christian Jew, one a Catholic, one Mormon, and one attends an Assembly of God Church. I pray for everybody who wears one.
Some of us want to lift up Christ and share His love, but don’t know where to start. Wearing the button has made this task so easy. I used to be afraid of saying the wrong thing, fearful of rejection, concerned with what others might think of me. Now I’m deeply concerned about what others think of Jesus, and how I represent Him while I claim His name. Everyone out there has a burden, a heartache, a struggle, a need. The longing for peace, healing, love and hope transcends all faiths. Most of us want to share some of our load, even with a total stranger. Oh, the thrill of giving hope to someone through Christ, the joy of helping to lighten someone’s burden. The blessings of an enriched personal walk with God, working with Him, sharing His love, all give a new depth to everyday life.
In the middle of a 12 hour night shift a co-worker brought me a note. On it was the home number of one of my supervisors. She said I was to go to the Doctor’s dictation room, close the door and call her ASAP. My mind raced as I wondered what I had done wrong and how bad it could be. I held my breath as I dialed. She answered with “Geri, I need you to pray, NOW.” She was terribly upset, and began to tell of a family crisis and immediate need to petition the Lord. For nearly an hour we talked and prayed. I continued daily to bring the situation before the Lord, and she kept me posted. To the Glory of His name we received the answers we sought. And I still pray for her.
Another night I had orders to discontinue a nasogastric tube for a patient only when certain criteria could be met. She told me that for two days she’d been hoping to have this uncomfortable device removed. After praying with the patient we checked, and praise God, she made the mark! She is absolutely sure this was a direct response to prayer.
I have watched monitors and seen vital signs stabilize within minutes of praying aloud for patients. I have seen pain levels decrease and anxieties fade away. Many times patients have reported that they are “hard sticks”, difficult to start IV’s on. I tell them I need to pray before starting their IV, and every time I do, the Lord brings honor and glory to His name by granting this simple request. Every time! Praise His worthy name!
Almost every shift I work, God gives me someone to pray for. My prayer list continues to grow. My prayers are less “me” focused as I plead for others. We are a people of prayer. If you are longing for an even closer walk with your Savior, ask Him if inviting prayer requests is a mission work for you. You may find that you need Him more, trust Him more, praise Him more, and love Him more. And that, my friend, is true joy.
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