We serve an amazing and powerful God, who hears our prayers and acts. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. Psalm 139:4. God loves our prayers, Christ lives to intercede for us, and the Spirit prays for us when our suffering is too deep for words. In my work as an Area Coordinator for Moms In Prayer, I pray for my leaders weekly. I am not always sure what to pray, but I am faithful to bring them before the LORD and ask Him for His best for them.
Sometimes, I have an interaction with a leader, and get to pray with them. So often, they are discouraged. Satan so often attacks the faithful with lies about their lack of effectiveness, blinding them to God’s joy at their faithfulness in prayer. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12. He discourages them because their numbers are few, hiding from them the truth that God promises to be wherever two or three are gathered in His name. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. Matthew 18:20
Recently, I had a conversation with one such woman, who was ready to give up. I prayed with her on the phone, gave her suggestions on how I felt she should proceed, but felt she was still wavering and uncertain as to what God wanted her to do. As I was driving over the Lewisburg Bridge that evening, I looked to my left, as I always do, hoping there might be an eagle perched on the old railroad bridge. I always thrill to see one sitting there, and always thank God for the gift of seeing this beautiful, powerful bird. And there he (or she) was. A splendid specimen, white head glistening in the sun. Immediately my struggling leader came to mind, along with the verses from Isaiah 40: 28-31
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
I prayed that God would strengthen this leader, and raise her up as on the wings of an eagle. And I drove on to my appointment. When I came out to my car, I was delighted to see a message from this woman on my phone. My delight turned to amazement and praise when I read her message. That evening, as she was driving over another bridge on the Susquehanna, an eagle flew right in front of her. She said the verse from Isaiah came to mind, and then she looked and saw runners heading over the bridge. She was wowed by God’s caring answer to our prayers, and more so when I replied with what happened to me about the same time.
God’s encouragements are meant to be shared. I pray that this encourages you today too.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Diane