I hate open heights! I can’t stand balconies, glass elevators freak me out, and when I am driving across a bridge, you’ll find me hugging the dividing rail along the inside lane.
Some friends tried to help me conquer these fears by inviting our family to join them one Sunday afternoon at Inner Peaks Climbing Center. I cringed at the thought of it, but JJ and our boys really wanted to go. So I caved in and agreed to a family “outing” inside this huge rock-climbing center.
When we entered the doors, my heart stopped beating as I look up at the highest peak – 25 feet! The instructors assured me that a web of ropes, harnesses and carabiners would hold me tight. Before I could say “no thank you,” I was strapped in and signing an injury waiver. I played it safe and stayed on the lower peaks.
Towards the end of the day, our friends John and Laura challenged their eight-year-old son Steven to climb to the highest peak – promising $5 in tokens and a cone of ice cream at arcade next door if he would touch the bar at the top.
Steven was afraid of heights, too, but he loved a dare. The promise of reward, mixed with the challenge and faith of his father evoked courage in Steven.
I watched with admiration as that little guy started the climb with confidence. He made it to 15 feet, then 20. But as he inched past the next face of the wall, he saw just how far he had to go before reaching the bar at the top. In fear, he looked down with tears and said he couldn’t do it. Then he cried out for his daddy’s help.
By this time, John was holding their very tired 3 yr old, and Laura was feeding their very hungry baby girl. I don’t know where my brave husband was, but as I looked around I realized I was the only one standing there who could do something.
Suddenly courage and strength surged through my body. I called out to Steven, “Don’t give up buddy. Wait for me to come to you. You can do it. I’ll help you!”
I said a quick prayer that God would help me and that Steven wouldn’t give up and start repelling his way down before I got to him. In no time, I reached the 20 foot marker. I crossed over the peak and up beside Steven to encourage him, reminding him of how far he’d come. Using my words and my confidence I focused his thoughts towards a higher goal, an inner peak, a reward that would be much greater than ice cream and game tokens – the reward of getting to a placehe had stopped believing he could reach.
My fear was gone. I had stopped thinking about me long enough to focus on helping someone else reach their goal and overcome their fear. Strangely enough, in that moment I overcame mine, and reached a peak of my own.
I became the response of a child’s cry for his father’s help. And that day became a picture of what happens when friends pray for and encourage one another. Like Jesus, we come alongside each other in some of life’s hardest challenges and highest peaks and we say, “Don’t give up, you can do it. Wait for me. I’ll help you.”
In that moment we take our eyes off our fears, our doubts, our struggles and set them on someone else’s needs. There we find faith to believe the power of God’s Word for them, and somehow our confidence in God’s promises and power are true for us in a way they may never have been before. That is the power of a praying friend!
Today, I invite you to join me in a conversation with God and some girlfriends so that we can experience what happens when women pray – for each other. This is your chance to share a request (a need, a hope, a desire) that you want someone to pray for you for this week. In return, you will pray for one person for the next week, too.
And because I love to share with friends books that draw me closer to Jesus, those who participate in our “conversation with God” will be part of a drawing next week for a new book called “Dear Jesus.” It is filled with devotions and scriptures that capture the heart of God’s response to every woman’s longings and intimate struggles.
Here’s how we’ll do this:
Click the word “Comments” below my name on this post (just under the 2nd green box).
Type in your prayer request in the white box.
Include your first name and where you are from.
(If you don’t have a blogger account, you can sign in as anonymous. But please include your first name at the end.) After type your request, click enter. Your comment will post.
Read the prayer request/comment above yours and pray for that friend.
Copy and paste it in an email to yourself as a reminder to pray for your new friend throughout the week.
On Monday, I’ll post about the power of praying God’s Word and share some of my favorite scripture prayers. Wouldn’t it be neat to find a Bible verse to pray for our prayer partner and post it in Monday’s comments? I’ll share how to do that.
There were two people in blessed in my story. But I never would have experienced what God had for me to give or receive that day if Steven hadn’t asked for help. I pray you will experience the power of a praying friend by promising to be one and allowing someone else to be one for you today. Be sure to click “comments” just below this box so that others see your prayer request and you find the request you are to pray for, too.
© 2008 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.
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I love to pray for others and often feel a little timid asking for prayer for myself. I was reminded of the scripture that a three braided cord is difficult to break–my prayer partner, Jesus and me make an unbeatable team. As a member of the Body of Christ, I need to be healed and restored to fullfill the calling God has on my life. Please pray for a complete healing of mind, body and emotions with emphasis on a restoration for the body.
Thank you for your agreement and may God open the windows of heaven and pour down on you a blessing so large you can not contain it!
Brenda
Dear Jesus,
I pray for Sharon and her sibling that are having issues. Soften their heart towards her. Cover them with your love. Heal wounds that only you can do. Guide them in their relationship. Break every barrier down so that You would receive Glory and Honor and Praise. Thank you for what you will do. I pray for Unity among these siblings. I know first hand after my brother and I lost both of our parents a year apart, one disagreement started separating us. You brought us back together stronger than ever. You continue to keep us strong. Strengthen their bond and give them confindence in trusting You for this outcome.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Please pray for me as a third grade teacher that I would be the teacher God desires of me. It is my mission field. My family, and my brother’s family
: ) are traveling to the beach on Saturday. Pray that God will bless our time as siblings. Pray that our bond would be stronger for each member of this family and that God would be at the center of our relationship at all times. Also, please pray for a friend of mine named Michelle. She has some inner ear problems. She has been to many specialists in Chicago and none have given her any hope. It seems that she is losing her hearing and there isn’t anything that can be done for about 10 years because the procedures are still in research. She has trouble walking because of the equilibrium part of her ears. She has good days and bad. Pray that those crystals would go away and her hearing would be restored.
Thank you,
Sheri from Tennessee
My prayer request is to be able to write the book God has called me to write. I need direction in organizing all the things I have written down so far. I know I need to take steps each day to work on this book but at times I feel paralyzed by it all. Thanks Renee for your posts about your book…this day was the first I clicked on your blog and was amazed to see you talking about writing! LISA I will most certainly be in prayer concerning your husband and the addiction you both are facing. I will pray for you to have a heart of discernment and to be able to speak the truth in love. I will pray that God will create in your husband the desire to turn from his addiction and for the power to do so. I will continue to speak the name of Jesus over the both of you and for victory assured. Prayerfull, Rosemary
Oh, how God works….I have never needed prayers more than today! I’m married to a man who is a wonderful husband and father but who has an addiction. He grew up with an alcoholic mother and he and his three brothers and sisters all off some sort of addiction. Although he is very functional with his addiction after 15 years of marriage God has laid it my heart that it is time for me to step up to the plate an help him see that he is really placing this addiction before God and his family. So I pray for the wisdom to handle this the way God leads me and I pray that my husband’s heart will be open to God’s leading. I also pray that God will put someone in his live that can help guide him as he is surrounded by friends and family that all have addictions.
Thank you for the prayers!
Lisa
PS — I already have “Dear Jesus”, so if Mr. Random Guy happens to pick my number, it would be my joy to give it to the person above me for whom I am praying! Thank you!
Would you kindly pray for a sibling in Christ’s heart to soften toward me, that walls would come down, God’s bridges would be built and that Truth would be the victor. Unity in Him as we serve Him. For His glory.
Thank you!
Sharon
Betty,
I will pray for your brother-in-law. You are right the only one to give them the strength and peace that they need is our Lord!!
Please pray for my families finances…and for the country’s economy. I am not sure how we will heat our home this winter as our monthly heating bills will be doubling as so many others are too. It is a scary time for many.
Kim from PA
My prayer request is for my sister and brother-in-law. He has been diagnosed with Alzheimers. Pray for wisdom, strength, courage, and the peace that only God can provide.
Thank you.
Betty from Maine
I would like prayer for myself and colleagues at work as we start a Thursday noon meeting to have corporate prayer on behalf of the United States of America. This nation is desperate for Godly leaders and its time for God’s Saints to step up to the plate. I would like prayer for God’s preparation and especially where hearts are concerned and the pulling down of the strongholds of fear, religion and tradionalism as we pray.
In Christ
Felicia from GA
Hello.Love to you all.Prayer is food for my soul..I love the way it makes one feel so close to God..embraced by such loving arms..I’ll pray and pray…
Need/Payer request:Finanial breakthrough
I need to urgently be able to buy myself a laptop but an even bigger need is a house.
SCHOLA,Kigali,Rwanda.
My prayer is to grow closer to the lord, as I have drifted away, I need to get back into studying the word of god and praying like I used to.
Also, I have a prayer for my sister in law, that she would strighten up her life in alot of areas.
Thanks,
Melissa From Ky
Gill, I will pray for you to have help with your finances and be able to grieve for your husband, I will ask God for strength for you.
My prayer request is for the doctors to find out why I am so tired and to help me find a schedule that allows me to spend time with my grandson. I also pray to be able to see my grandson that was born in January of 2008. My husband needs to know the Lord and accept Jesus as his Savior. I need peace with my medical restrictions
I also pray for the right home for my grandson. he has been with me since he was born.He is 7 and his Mom is trying to make a hime for him, but not mentally or financially able.
Seasidelady
I would like some prayers for my relationship with Don that it be blessed and lead to a happy and fulfilling marriage …if it be God’s will.
Becky
I’m not sure if I’m reading the list the right way up, but Anne you will be prayed for that you know the joy of a good husband and beautiful children.
My husband of 33 years became ill towards to the end of 2007, and sadly died two months ago. I love him so much and miss him so, but I know with my faith in the knowledge he is now healed and whole and with the Lord, I will come through this.
I am in need of prayer also because together we had a lot of debt which we had a plan in place to pay completely (over a long period). Now the banks to which my husband owed money in his sole name are pursuing me to settle the debts. I am so ashamed and, being retired, bearly have sufficient income to live on and pay towards my own debts. We had no capital and no insurance so I need a mighty miracle to change the minds of these banks or I shall face bankruptcy. I don’t know where to turn, except with repentance to turn to the Lord.
I see another post now from Nyokabi, and pray that she and her husband will find the right financial solutions also.
Gill
Please pray with me in my search for a job – pray that the good Lord will open a door for me to get one real soon. Thanks Aku
My husband and I are struggling with our finance and are going through a difficult time. Please pray with me that Godmay continue to open doors for us. He has already given me a job, praise God.
Nyokabi from Kenya
Please, unpublish the proyer request for Anne Ebere to enable her make changes and publish the write up below. Thanks
By the grace of God almighty, October 8, 2008 I will be 46 years and have never been married before and no children, gave my life to christ in 1996.
I have been beliving and trusting Jehova God for a life partner and the gift of triplets as first pregnancy and twins as 2nd pregnancy.
Please join your faith with me and I strongly believe that this year 2008 will not pass me by.
Anne Nigerian
I am struggling with the politics of our church, my feelings toward our pastor which makes it difficult for me to find God in church and communication difficulties in my marriage. I know alot but this is what is in on my heart and mind.
Kim
You’ll be prayed for fervently Renee!
My prayer request is that my special education students will get the schedules that will help them be the most successful for this school year. (I am one of the ones making the schedule, so I need God’s wisdom.)
I also ask for prayer that I would have the level of repentance necessary to lay down my sins of approval addiction and gluttony. I hate that word, but that’s what it is. Thank you in advance for your prayers!
Welcome if you are visiting from my devotion today featured through P31 and Crosswalk.
If you want to read the rest of the story from the devotion (to find out about my husband’s biopsy results) click on “Good News I’ve Been Dying to Tell You” in my sidebar.
I realized that the first one to comment would not have someone to pray for, so I decided it would be me! My prayer is for us to complete our adoption paperwork and for me to get 10-15 new radio shows written by Wednesday of next week.
Thanks so much for your prayers!!!
Renee