Is Intercessory Prayer For You?

So I got one of those calls yesterday afternoon late that no one wants to get. My mom had been taken to the hospital with a suspected heart attack. You are going through your routines of the day when all of a sudden everything changes. Nothing else matters except what is happening right then and now. I stopped, said a quick silent prayer, then gathered my wife and kids for a group prayer before heading off to the hospital. Some history, my mom had bypass surgery in November of 1993. Since then, while having a few minor incidents, she has been healthy without many problems, at least not with her heart. She exercises, eats well, and for the most part does what the doctor says (except for the part about don't shovel snow and don't move heavy furniture).

As I drive to the hospital, I make and receive a few phone calls from my siblings. In between I continue to talk to God, asking mostly for the ability to stay strong when I see my mom. I don't want her to worry more about how I'm doing, I want her to focus on doing what the doctor says. If you'll remember back a few posts I talked about worry being my problem spot and the fact that it was in our genes. Well, my mom is the champion of worry, so I don't want her to see that I'm stressed about the situation.

When I get to the hospital, my mom is there with my sister. My dad has taken a quick break to run home and get his phone which has more battery power then mom's. Mom doesn't look bad, but what a deja vu from 17 years ago. I get the opportunity to have some 1:1 time with mom as dad and my sister grab a bite to eat. I am blessed to have had that half hour to spend with my mom, getting an opportunity to both witness and discuss our faith.

That's when I thought about the question I pose above. When I was talking to mom at the hospital, when we called last night before going to bed, when the kids talked to her and told her they were praying for her. Her consistent response was to say thank you and to tell us that is exactly what she needs right now. When we pray for others, we must remember it should not be a selfish act. We aren't praying to make ourselves feel better (that's a petition), but we are praying for the well being of the other individual. We are also giving that person great comfort knowing that someone else is praying for them. We must always remember this.

I must say that as I entered the prayer commitment into PrayerSteward, I thought to myself that I would never forget to pray for my mom. I almost didn't enter the prayer commitment into PrayerSteward. And while it may be true, having that commitment right in front of me at prayer time assures me that I will not let my mom down on my commitment to prayer for her. With PrayerSteward, I can also provide this same assurance to others that I'll keep my commitment. While family members concerns are always at the forefront, lets remember that every life we touch is just as important as the others. And when we commit to someone something as important as talking to God and asking for His will to be done for that person, we cannot let one soul down in that promise.


I leave you with this passage from 1 Timothy 2:1-2:
"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."

May God Bless your day!