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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Hi Ladies,
Shannon, I will keep you and your family in prayers as God leads you in this new journey.
It is so God that you, Renee, started this today. My husband and I interviewed Tuesday night as a Pastor of a new church start. The meeting went beyond what we could have anticipated.
This morning we got a call from the chair of the committee. One of the ladies we had interviewed with was in a horrible car accident.
Her sister died in the accident and she is in the trauma unit of a large hospital. Her 16 year old grandaughter was also in the accident and has several broken bones.
Please pray for this family and small church family as they minister to each other. Pray for our new friend/sister Judy and her grandaughter Britney to recover fully. And selfishly pray for my husband as he goes and ministers to both families even though he has not yet been called to be their pastor. It was what we both wanted him to do right away. They called him because they had no pastor to call. Pray God will be glorified.
After the call my first prayer was how can I get as many people praying as I can.
Thanks to God for this post Renee! And thank you for whoever comes behind me!
Pamela R. South Carolina
I am dealing with a lot. I have been separated for 4 months after finding out my husband cheated on me. My whole world has come crashing down, and I just don’t undestand God through this. Please pray He draws me near to Himself as I realize my dreams of a family are not going to happen…at least not right now. As I prepare to make decisions, that God would dispell the fear and help me to hold fast to Him. That when Satan’s attacks come, God will help me to stand strong. And all the time that I am weary, He will provide peace and rest. Thank you. -W
Hi my name is Cece and I live in California. I have a request for prayer for my nephew who just recently just received the Lord. We took him to the men’s recovery home through our church he is kicking drugs. Please keep him in your prayers because he is not happy being there and is wanting to leave. We have been praying that he won’t leave his life is in physical danger he angered some people(drug dealers) and they will probably retaliate. His mother recently received the Lord as well. Their names are Armando and Marie. Thank you for your prayers.
My husband and I have been separated for almost 3 years. He left me and wants no part in trying to reconcile the marriage, but will not file for divorce. He says still being legally married isn’t impacting anything he wants to do and he just can’t be bothered to deal with all the legal stuff. I have struggled with filing as I truly believe that marriage is “for better for worse, till death do you part”. I have rationalized the situation in my mind; however, I just have not been able to go through with the process myself. I continue to pray that God will heal my marriage, but after 3 years I am beginning to lose hope. I feel like I can’t move forward with my life until something changes. I need direction from God as to whether I should continue to “hold on” or take steps to “move on”. Please pray that I receive that guidance, and if the answer is that it is time for me to file those papers, please pray that God provides me with the strength to get through it. Thanks so much! Suzanne- Lutz, FL
WOW, just read through all of the prayers. I will lift each one up as a whole to our heavenly Father, and when I post will mention the one above me individually! Oh the power of prayer….
First, for our decisions on church. We are lifetime Lutherans, but are looking for more. So pray as we search for another church whereever that might be….
Also, I have been on a search for the last few years on what I should do with my life. As I look back, I see how God has grown me to where I am today. It has beena journey of preparing me. I have a heart for missions, adoption, I just like to care for those hurting in general. I have finally discovered what I think God is calling me/us to do. Open a set of houses for foster care/adoption. Go to http://www.riobend.org for further info. I have grown, God has shown me the perfect place to do this. There is an existing house, that part of it burned yesturday. But God spared the main house. I believe it was Him! So my prayer request is that I will follow through without hesitation on starting a non profit. That part scares me. There is alot of paperwork involved. Money involved that I don’t have much of. But I have a great Faith that God already has those things in place, and if I am meant to do this, it will go without a hitch…..Also pray for my mom. She has faith, but doesn’t take steps to grow it. I would like for her to join me on this journey. So please pray that if it is God’s will, she will be ready to join me. (my husband is ready. He said that it is obviously something God is calling me to do, who am I to argue with God?)
sorry so long winded….
Thanks
Shannon
My nephew, Chris has had a difficult year. His wife Megan has been taking off and leaving him to care for the kids [including work days] most of the time. Now that Chris has finally asked for custody of the kids; She is fighting mad and scheming to get full custody herself. [She got a restraining order against him, and had, by police involvement based on him hitting her, gotten the kids, so Chris couldn't see the kids for 3 weeks. Wednesday he was acquitted of all her accusations and in the emergency custody hearing was only given partial custody of the kids. He's discouraged that the judge [who'll be the eventual one in the final hearing on custody] did not do much listening and didn't seem to much care. We, his larger family are concerned about the hi possiblity of drug use. Will she use child support money to go on her binges on the weekend when Chris has the kids? Can she get them from her neighbor during the week? If so maybe drug testing would work, but if only on the weekends? The judge said there wasn't enough evidence of all she was doing [& of course of the drug possibility]; and we don't know how we can come up with more evidence than we already have. Meantime Chris is in construction – way down in FL, he has no money, and his car blew up. He has no car for work [except temporarily for a few weeks]. He's extremely discouraged and he needs God, but is he ready to recieve him? Pray for the evidence we need IF Megan isn't serious about taking GOOD care of the kids [because they need both Mom and Dad], and for God to provide for Chris and draw him to Himself.
Sharon Beasley
I have three children under the age of 11. My 39 year old husband began having health problems last year and it is continuing to get worse. The doctors are not sure what it is – possibly some neuro-degenerative disease. We are scared, uncertain of the future and it is so frustrating for him to lose simple abilities as every day goes by. I would pray for healing for my husband, but more than that – the peace and comfort that God can give me and my family.
Renee, you always tell the best stories. What a wonderful encouragement. You know if that was me hearing Steven called for help, I would’ve probably go to his father and took the fussing baby. I’m afraid of heights and bridges, and yes, glass elevators too.
Anyhow, here’s my prayer request: As always I am struggling with financial issues. I am looking for a permanent job while getting my ministry of the ground. I’m not sure if working is the answer. I’m just doing my part-looking for the job. Pray that if it is His will then He will provide a job for me. If not, then for Him to increase my quilting account in ways I do not see.
Thank you for your prayers. Shoua
Please pray for my brother who left traditional Christianity for a false religion that claims to have all the answers. He suffers from alot of depression and doesn’t feel like God loves him anymore.
Please pray for my marriage. We are having a difficult time. My husband has talked about how things would be better for our family (we have 2 toddlers) if he left (as his father did). He has reached the end of his rope of self and I believe he is at the point that God has brought him to in order to realize how great his need for Christ is. I know he is on the edge of doing great and mighty things for the kingdom of God and is in a tremendous warfare right now. We have just started seeing a wonderful christian counselor and he has committed to continue. I am praying for him to build godly friendships too.
Thank you!!! Jennifer in Florida
My husband passed away suddenly last summer, leaving me with a business to run and three children at home. The struggles of keeping it all together for the sake of my kids is overwhelming!
Please help me pray for guidance in how to run the business that my husband ran so well, and for peace to relieve the stress and worry.
My prayer request is that my 11 month old daughter had a bladder infection and now the doctor wants her to have some testing done at the hospital to make sure that there is nothing more wrong with her. I understand the necessity of this but the testing is painful and we have to wait until August first to even take her. I am just praying that all the testing will go well and she will not suffer any pain. I also pray that nothing would be wrong with her and that my family and I would not worry about it as worry is not from God!
My prayer request is for my family to have faith in God, knowing that he will never leave us or forsake us and that he is the Great Physician. My husband was diagonsed 2 years ago with bladder cancer, it is superficial, not invasive. He has to check up every 3 months, he had his check on Tuesday and there are 2 small spots. He has to do a scrapping on 8/15/08. We ask your prayers that all will be well, I am confident that God will take control, my faith is strong, but it will be even stronger knowing my girl friends are praying with me and walking with me. Lynda, New York
my prayer is to be restored to my children and my brother and sisters. also for a car. thank you kelly
I am recently divorced, real estate agent with no other source of income. I have been working just over a year and have only managed to close 3 deals, 2 of which were rentals. I need my business to start producing a steady income that will support me and children. Please pray the business starts to take off and I begin to make a steady flow of income. Laura – Germantown, MD
My daughter Hannah graduated in May from a Christian university with an elementary education teaching degree. Years ago, she felt God calling her to teach in His kingdom. She has applied and interviewed for teaching positions in various Christian schools with no success. She is contemplating teaching in the public schools, but jobs are scarce. Hannah has medical conditions (spina bifida, diabetes) which make health insurance a must. Her benefits expire November 30th. She is confused (Why did I earn a teaching degree if I cannot find a position?) and scared (What will I do for medical care when my benefits run out?) and hurt (What is wrong with me that no one will hire me?). Please pray that the Lord will guide her to the place He has intended her to be all along, and that He will grant her trust and patience in the waiting. Thank you, and may God bless you! Debbie
The is a great idea. My name is Diane, from Chesterfield, VA.
Prayer request: that I might understand why I am going through a divorce.
Blessings,
Diane
I would like prayer for my illness to finally have a diagnosis so that we can know how to treat it.
I go for another MRI on Monday and need prayer just to get through that test! It’s an open MRI but I am claustrophobic and require meds to do it. This MRI is of my spine.
We are ruling out or confirming Asian Multiple Sclerosis and/or Devic’s Syndrome and/or related disorders.
Thank you!
Lisa R.
Dear sweet Jesus, please wrap your arms around Melanie and let her know you are there with her every moment of every day. Father strengthen her heart and let her heart rate return to normal. Calm her anxious spirit. Amen.
Please pray that God would send a strong Christian woman into my life to keep me on track– a confidant– a mentor. I don’t know where to go or what to do with myself at this point, so I could use her advice and her support right now. Also, please remember my father as he was laid off for his job of 28 years and is struggling to go to college. His math classes are extremely difficult for him and he is growing depressed. My mother-in-law has the beginning stages of Alzheimers and her memory is going quickly. Help the family know how to care for her and for me to know how support my husband through this time.
l want prayers for my children and l for God lifting.
Blessing from Nigeria