Adventure in Prayer
Una Aventura en Oración
by
Mary Hunt Webb
Posted Friday, June 30, 2023
Smoke in the air indicates that fire is raging in a nearby forest where firefighters are battling to prevent the blaze from destroying more trees. [Photographer: Joe Plenio. Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com.]
Before the expected rains of mid-summer arrive, the dry forests of the mountainous areas of the west are prone to catch fire during the sweltering heat of hot summer days. Under those conditions teams of firefighters arrive to combat the blazes.
My husband and I were traveling one summer when we stopped at a large motel to spend the night. We had checked in and were in the motel's parking lot preparing to go to dinner when I saw a group of muscular young men walking away from several trucks and heading toward the motel's office. From the equipment they carried and from their clothing, it appeared that they were among those sent to fight fires in the nearby national forest. One young man seemed to be leading the group.
I distinctly felt the Holy Spirit telling me, "They're firefighters! Go pray for them!"
I can't remember ever walking up to strangers before and asking them if I could pray for them, but the urge was so strong that summer evening that it seemed as though I was being propelled forward. Although I felt a little nervous as I left my husband standing by our car and walked toward the group, I had the assurance of Romans 8:26, which says, "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans." (NIV)
At the leading of the Holy Spirit, I approached the leader of the group and asked, "Are you firefighters?"
"Yes, ma'am!" he replied.
"Would you mind if I prayed for you?" I asked timidly.
Perhaps his experience as a firefighter had taught him not to be surprised by anything. Instead, he seemed pleased.
"We'd be honored," he replied.
The others behind him stopped where they were in the middle of the parking lot. Because my head was bowed, I don't know if they all bowed their heads as well but no one seemed to object to me praying for them.
I can't tell you the exact words I used, but I remember that I prayed for their safety, stamina, and health, among other things.
When I finished, the young man in the lead nodded and said, "Thank you, ma'am." Then they continued on their way toward the motel office.
I have no idea if they all survived their battle with the raging forest fire or if my prayer did any good, but I had the confidence that my prayer went with them as they battled blazes.
As happened that summer, our prayers go where we cannot venture when we have the boldness to pray. In that way, following the leading of the Lord to pray for others is an adventure in prayer.
Prayer: Leading Lord, You know how difficult it is for me to speak to a stranger. Please give me the boldness to follow Your urging when You direct me to pray for someone I don't know because it may be that person's last day on earth. Please protect firefighters as they combat blazes. In the mighty name of Jesus, amen.
BIBLE VERSE USED IN THIS POSTING
Romans 8:26 — "In the same way, the (Holy) Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans." (NIV)
Romanos 8:26 — Y de igual manera el Espíritu nos ayuda en nuestra debilidad; pues qué hemos de pedir como conviene, no lo sabemos, pero el Espíritu mismo intercede por nosotros con gemidos indecibles. (Reina-Valera 1960)
Our prayers go where we cannot go. [Photographer: Enrique ELG2. Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com.]
