Rita Early, GFC Carrollwood

Do you ever get a little nervous when someone asks you to pray in public? Or, do you volunteer others to close out your small group in prayer so you don’t have to? I know that's been me many times. 

I recall feeling quite nervous the first time I prayed for a stranger. As the person approached, I silently prayed she’d choose someone else so I wouldn’t mess up! My mouth went dry and my mind wandered as I tried to figure out what I would say before the request had even been made. Then I felt God say, “Pray as if you are praying for your kids.” That freed me from fear and pride and allowed me to really listen to the person’s heart then speak what God wanted to share.

A few months ago, I asked my kids if they would pray for my friend’s husband, Tom. They didn’t know Tom. As a matter of fact, I didn’t know Tom either. All I knew was that he was having back problems and I figured this would be an opportunity to equip my daughters to be prayer warriors. The girls agreed and we formed a circle by holding hands. My five-year-old went first. “God, please help Tom. Please, God. We love Tom. We love him very much. Please help him.”

I chuckled a little at her sweet fervent prayer fit for a family member. Then, my nine-year-old prayed, “Jesus, please help Tom. He is in a lot of pain. I pray that you will heal him, that he will be able to go outside for a walk and have fun and enjoy the sunshine and get some exercise. Help him Lord to have a good attitude and stay positive, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Each of my daughters prayed in their own unique way. One with passion and determination and the other with hopeful expectation. Both equally pleasing to God.

And that’s exactly how I was prayed over during the Freedom Encounter, two weeks ago.

The ladies welcomed me, not as a stranger, but a sister. Some were fervent in prayer and hugged me, while others calmly held my hand professing God’s promises. I felt heard and encouraged. They didn’t solve my problems, they simply stood with me as I surrendered and was redirected back to Christ.

Let's not let fear or pride keep us from becoming a prayer warrior at home, in small group or our community. God doesn’t grade our prayers. He’s not impressed with our eloquence or how well we know the Bible. Prayer is talking to God, inviting him into our situations and letting His light shine. The first step in becoming a prayer warrior is a tender heart for all of God’s children.

Matthew 9:37-38 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”