Dante

Every weekday morning I can be found on a zoom call with women from around the country. We gather to pray, to read the word of God and share what we are learning. We come from different denominations, or as my friend Nic puts it, different streams but same source of Living Water.

Yesterday, as we finished praying, I noticed emergency vehicles outside my house. Of course, I look. Across the street, a man is laying on the ground and they are trying to resuscitate him. I interrupt everyone’s time in the word (we mute the zoom call and read separately). Come and pray with me.

And we did. We began praying as I watched. My husband joined and was praying as the women were praying. I saw our neighbor come across to talk to other neighbors and ran over. He explained that it looked like his wife’s cousin had a heart attack. He is only 30 years old, but they did get a heart beat. So I asked if we could pray together. We, as a foursome, lifted this all up to the Great Healer.

And then I saw the owner’s wife, and I went over and began praying with her. Hugging and praying. We haven’t been really great neighbors, not really getting to know our neighbors. And I think the Lord had enough of that.

Today, I talked with the owner (I am so bad with names). So bad. Anyway, Dante has swelling on the brain, little brain activity. And I know this, God says when a life is over. Not me. Not a doctor. So I’m praying for this family. For Dante. Will you join me?

Colossians 4:2-6 “Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains, so that I may make it know as I should. Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.”

Devote yourself to prayer. Pray without ceasing. Here’s something I’m trying to do. You know how people just pop into your mind? Pray for them right then. I’m asking the spirit to prompt me. To give me words. Cast my cares.

Here’s where I struggle, giving thanks in all circumstances. Staying alert with thanksgiving. I want to stay alert to God’s presence and purpose. Praying for others. Praying that we speak the mystery of Christ. Make most of my time.

I’ll be honest. I don’t know exactly what that looks like in the season of my life. I do know, when I pray for opportunities, God drops them in my lap. And I thank God for that. How can we open our eyes to more around us?

Being in the word, prayer and thanksgiving.