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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Hello my name is Lane and my prayer request is this: I have been living with my “boyfriend” for almost 3 yrs now. We have 2 children together and plan on getting married one day. I am ready for marriage now, but he always has an excuse: “we’re already married”, “why change what we have” “set a date and we’ll do it” but the reality is his divorce from his previous marriage was never finalized and by default he is still married. I cry a lot over this. I cry because I feel I am letting God down by living in sin. I cry because if I leave then our children will suffer and go through separation of their father. I cry because my boyfriend just doesn’t see how important this is to me. I am so frustrated and disappointed in this tangled mess and I know that God can somehow fix it. I am just not sure how or when or what to do. I just want to be married (don’t care about a wedding it could be in front of the justice of the peace) I want my boyfriend and I to be united in the eyes of God and have the same last name.
I just started reading this blog-what a great ministry.
Please pray for the following:
1) that I learn to trust God and love Him above all else
2) that we can get out of debt
3) that the vertigo goes away and never comes back
4) that my kids lead healthy, God filled lives
I hope that is not too much-if so then #1 covers everything else!
Prayerfully, Bonnie
I had to come back for another request.
(Of course, I will add another person to pray for, too! And again, give any prize I might get on this comment to the woman right before me.)
My son, Kenny is going to camp this week. I’m having the usual mom worries… I guess I need to have peace, but if you only pray for one of us, pray for Kenny’s safety and spiritual growth this week.
I find myself without joy. Certain things bring me joy for a moment, but it fades in the next.
I've been very forgetful of how much God has forgiven me and God's faithfulness in my life (sort of like the Israelites).
Please pray for:
(1) JOY in HONORING God!
(2) DESIRE for Him & for the Word
(3) HEALING from childhood experiences
(4) HEALING from a relationship that ended 7 months ago
(5) capacity to LOVE those around me (namely, family and close girl friends)… to love in JOY, not out of duty
(6) being IMPACTED by remembering God's goodness to me
(7) to FAITHFULLY pray for the person i'm suppose to be praying for this week (through this chain)
Gloria
My prayer request is for my husband. He is a soldier, deployed at this time, says he feels depressed and frustrated with his leadership and the way things are done. His actions tell me that he is bitter and astray from the Lord during this time; I pray that he can realign his thoughts, actions, etc with God, and reflect God’s light in this darkness. I hope that one day we can look back at this unwanted experience and know that it was worth it–that it was part of God’s perfect plan. Thank you for your prayers.
Lilia, I’ll be in prayer for you.
My prayer request is for my doctor to be able to figure out why I am having such bad abdominal pain after eating. I have two series of tests on Wednesday morning to see if it is something in my upper GI or with my gall bladder. I’m on some temporary medication BUT it gives me a headache so I’d like to not be on it long term.
Thanks for praying
In Christ,
Mari
Pleas pray for my daughter Erin. I went through a terrible divorce and had to move out with my 4 daughters. Eventually my ex alienated by oldest from me and she move back with him. The other 3 girls live with me and I have joint custody with his visitation rights. Lately my ex and my oldest have been focussing on convincing Erin to live with her dad (she will have a better life they tell her). I she has expressed interest. I am tired of all this harrassement that’s been going on for 6 years. I have put my trust in the Lord and been victorious through it all but now feel weak. Your article on climbing spoke to me exactly on not giving up. I feel very bad that I am mad at God for not putting an end to the situation with my ex. Please pray for my spiritual strength and faith; and for Erin to see the attacks and false promises. I need all the prayers I can get. In Jesus name.
Thank you
Lilia
Diane,
Yes it will be my pleasure to pray for you and your situtation with your sister. I've been having trouble with my brother who hasn't been responsible w/my mom's (92 yrs.old-w/brain tumor)affairs.I don't understand but I know that Our Lord can use all things if we let Him even our situations, He is in control not our sibblings.
Please pray that my husband, my son & I have the type of relationship God has for us. 2 wks. ago my Husband just rec'd the Lord after 35 yrs. of interceeding for him.(Thank you Jesus!)I will be praying for you Diane.
Kathie of CA
Sarah,
I will pray for your brother to find his birth mother.
My prayer request: my mother passed away in April. Please pray that my sister, the executor of the will, would distribute the assest as my mother originally desired. She has made some weird accusations and threats.
Thanks you so much – Diane
Noelle,
I am praying for you.
Rachel of Dallas, TX
Lynda,
My husband was diagnosed with bladder cancer ten years ago! He had 6 tumors when he had the first surgery. With God’s love and mercy, we found the best urologist for him and he has been vigilant in treating my husband, who still has his bladder! Keep up the scans–do not let even one of them go past the scheduled date. My husband had to have a scan every 3 months for the first 2 years, then every 6 months, and now once a year. Each time if there was a spot, it was lazered and sometimes he would take chemo, if there was not a spot, then we returned for the next scan as scheduled. As I sat in the hospital waiting room, and lobby, and cafeteria, I realized that I had been in contact with many people during the 22 times he has been in outpatient surgery. I have never asked why, or complained why my husband, but I turned it over to God the first time we heard the word cancer and I have total faith that God will heal him–either here on Earth or the healing will take place in Heaven. I take advantage and pray for all the people I have met while waiting for the procedure to be over and he is returned to the room. I pray that I will be open to what ever the reason we are going through this and the result will be through serving God and God receiving the Glory.
My prayer request is for my nephew and his wife who are separted and she is living with another man. they have four young children. My nephew is hurting and has not yet learned to walk with God and trust Him. I pray for spiritual healing within that marriage, forgiveness, and that they will restore their marriage with God as the center of their lives.
Please pray for my beloved husband who was blessed with a job promotion and told he has a serious health condition in the same month. He is a faithful man who is struggling with what kind of life we will have with his diagnosis. I, too, have a serious health condition which requires continuous management. I am praying daily, but am physically drained. I thank God in advance for what he will do in this newest challenge in our lives!
Rachel from Dallas, TX
I guess I have a two part prayer. I am going to the doctor this week and am a bit nervous about the results of this visit. I would ask that you pray that God would bless my doctor and bless my health. We are also adding a new area to our home business. It is a lot to take on (especially with four little ones at home)but we feel good about moving forward. Please pray for His guidance in making this venture work for all involved. God bless and thanks!
Noelle
Hello, My name is Tabetha. My prayer request is for me and my 2 children. I am a single mom (6yrs now) and the older they get the harder they are to show respect and manners. Also, for me, I am starting a new job on the 4th of August, so that i can be closer to home and to the kids if they need me. I am currently driving 45 min to work (that is just one way). I pray that this job is the one for me. I am also struggling in financies. We basically live off what i make and it is hard. Now since i am taking a new job, the pay was decreased. Plus, my ex-husband is wanting a decrease in Child Support and that court date is the 31st of July. I will have to drive 6 1/2 hours to get there for court. Plus we are looking for another place to live, that is better then where we are at now. There are to many problems with the place that we rent now.
This is not something that I usually do, tell everyone my burdens. But just reading some of the blogs, makes me want to share mine, so that we all can pray for each other.
Thank you,
Tabetha C,
Marion, NC
[email protected]
Please pray that I will seek God and his will for my life and turn away from the tempations that I endure daily.I also pray that this will make me a better wife and mother.
Thanks.
Elizabeth I will be praying that God will show you his perfect will for you concerning a job and having children.
Jeremiah 29:10-12 (The Message)
This is God’s Word on the subject: “As soon as Babylon’s seventy years are up and not a day before, I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. “When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen.
Deuteronomy 28:1-14 (The Message)
1-6 If you listen obediently to the Voice of God, your God, and heartily obey all his commandments that I command you today, God, your God, will place you on high, high above all the nations of the world. All these blessings will come down on you and spread out beyond you because you have responded to the Voice of God, your God:
God’s blessing inside the city,
God’s blessing in the country;
God’s blessing on your children,
the crops of your land,
the young of your livestock,
the calves of your herds,
the lambs of your flocks.
God’s blessing on your basket and bread bowl;
God’s blessing in your coming in,
God’s blessing in your going out.
7 God will defeat your enemies who attack you. They’ll come at you on one road and run away on seven roads.
8 God will order a blessing on your barns and workplaces; he’ll bless you in the land that God, your God, is giving you.
9 God will form you as a people holy to him, just as he promised you, if you keep the commandments of God, your God, and live the way he has shown you.
10 All the peoples on Earth will see you living under the Name of God and hold you in respectful awe.
11-14 God will lavish you with good things: children from your womb, offspring from your animals, and crops from your land, the land that God promised your ancestors that he would give you. God will throw open the doors of his sky vaults and pour rain on your land on schedule and bless the work you take in hand. You will lend to many nations but you yourself won’t have to take out a loan. God will make you the head, not the tail; you’ll always be the top dog, never the bottom dog, as you obediently listen to and diligently keep the commands of God, your God, that I am commanding you today. Don’t swerve an inch to the right or left from the words that I command you today by going off following and worshiping other gods.
My prayer request is for my son Richard that he would quit listening to the lies of the enemy and that he would not let his ADD keep him from completing his GED this fall.
I am also believing God for our finances.
Jeanne New Mexico
Hi!
I’d like to ask for prayer for my husband. He’s working at a job he doesn’t like, and while he does well, the failing economy in our small town is making it more difficult to meet his company’s requirements. We’re praying that he can find a job where he’s truly happy – the current situation is affecting not only his health, but also our marriage and family.
This was a great idea, Renee! Thank you!
Please pray for my friend and her husband who have recently reunited after some time apart. Pray that God’s grace will fill their relationship as they explore the issues that pulled them away from each other. – Ann
Please pray for my sister-Faye, she has just been diagnosed with cervical cancer. She will undergo a histarectomy on the 28th of July, they hope to get it all and give her a few more years. The doctors are very concerned about her making it thru surgery because of a heart valve. We really need your prayers. She lost her husband and a grandson this past year.
Would you please pray for the safety and restoration to the Lord of my 19-yr-old prodigal son. I don’t know where he is right now. Would you also please pray for the Lord to heal me as He wills from total exhaustion and probable sleep apnea. My husband wants me to go to a sleep specialist and go through all the tests to be diagnosed and I guess I’m going to have to. In the meantime, I can barely stay awake to function during the day to do my job or accomplish anything at home. Thank you so much for your prayers. Love in Christ, Susan