I’m thinking about Eric, a young man, slight build, tattoos, who had shaved the sides of his head. The hair on top was pulled back into a ponytail. He was outgoing and gracious and chatty as two people ahead of me, then I checked out in his line at the grocery store. I learned from listening that he was a brittle diabetic, had been since he was five, lived with his grandmother, had been released from the hospital the night before -- and this mother-heart wanted to reach out and draw him in.
Every time I went to the store, if he were there, I’d wait to check out from his line. How are you? How’s your grandmother? When I didn’t see him after a while, I asked about him. Eric had been transferred to the same grocery chain in another town. I made opportunity to check out the other store to check on Eric, but he was never there. Did he move? Did he lose his job? What happened to his grandmother? Was his diabetes under control?
All that to say this: Sometimes people you don’t know, complete strangers, maybe someone who starts a conversation with you like, “How are you? How’s your grandmother?” may carry you in their heart, may pray for you from time to time when you cross their mind.
I’ve often wondered who prayed for me when I was growing up. We lived in a neighborhood and the houses were close together. My neighbors? Teachers who may have noticed, oh, she is so shy? Relatives? People at the church my parents were members of but seldom attended? Whoever they were, I’ve been grateful for their prayers.
A favorite verse: “Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.” (Hebrew 7:25, Berean Study Bible.)
Who have you prayed for today? Are you on special assignment? You may never know who is praying for you. I thank God for the unseen ministry of prayer.
(Photo by Jeremy McKnight on Unsplash. Thanks, Jeremy.)
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