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 will be praying for Christy and her marriage, that God will work his Will in that home.
I am asking for prayers for my son’s health issues, caused by alcohol. I am asking God to give him peace, to heal him of his desire for alcohol and to heal his health problems.
Thank you for your prayers.
Anne, I am 37 years old and in your same situation. Have never been married, no (biological)children (accept for my daughter whom I have raised since birth, now 17 yrs old) I have always wanted 4 children and since I already have Angela I pray and dream of having triples. Now we can stand together in prayer for our dreams to come true. May God’s will be done in our lives! Blessings. Claudia
My husband says he is not happy and considering leaving. I think alot of it is financial burdens and stress. Please pray that he will stay strong and i can be who he needs me to be and that will make it through this.
Thanks,
Christy
My prayer is for my husband as he has an extremely stressful job. I pray he will lean on the Lord’s strength and that we will have a smooth move from AZ to TX in the next coming month.
Danielle
My prayer is for my husband’s heart to be opened to adoption from China. I feel God has told me I have another daughter there, and it is a burden on my heart to bring her home. Thank you so much!
LouAnne
I LOVE this idea.
For this coming week I would so appreciate prayer for Dr’s appointments I have – tests trying to discover what is causing abdominal pain. Please pray that anything that needs to be found will be found so steps can be taken for complete recovery. I guess, actually, you could pray for complete healing so nothing would be found too! :o)
Thank you so much for your prayers on my behalf.
Joy
I am struggling with opening up to people, and making friends. I just can’t seem to open up enough to get past that aquaintance stage. Please pray for me to open up and leave my comfort zone.
Thank you.
Karla
I am newly married (May 3). My husband and I are both Christians and want Christ at the center of our marriage. My husband is even starting seminary soon, however we have been under attack. Nothing serious, just not very happy with each other lately and can’t seem to get past it. I love him dearly and God definitely designed this marriage! I want to be the patient, obedient wife has called me to be but it is difficult because I don’t feel I have an example to follow. God has asked me to lead by example and trust in Him to repair things (which neither of us have been doing). My prayer is for the strength and patience to do this! This is supposed to be such a happy, joy-filled time for us and it has been anything but!
Thank you my beautiful sisters in Christ!
God love you and so do I!
Please pray that God will open financial doors for my husband and I very soon. My husband’s business is failing and I have been searching for a job since December. All doors have been closed so far, so I’m praying God will open the right door for a job for me, if that is His will, and will turn around my husband’s business so we can meet our financial obligations. CR
My prayer request is for physical healing. I am 31, and dealing with multiple nagging conditions… today it’s a horrible infection that visits more frequently that I would like. I sometimes feel frustrated because I know who my healer is, yet I still struggle with health issues.
Thank you for your prayers!
Jenny in Ohio
I am a 39 year old mother of two young boys (ages 8 1/2 and 6). I have experienced two years of health issues due to autoimmune problems. I am very weary of doctor visits, and the money needed to sustain my health. My husband is a wonderful support, Praise God! I just want to be healthy again and to be here to raise my boys. I may need surgery, but a medication might help keep me from surgery. Please pray that the Great Physician, Jesus Christ would heal me completely! Thank you and bless you, sister!
I’m am struggling with panic attacks, I am starting sessions with my Christian counselor today. I know I need to turn all my burdens, worry and anxiety over to Christ but it is so hard for me. I have issues with trust and control and have been praying so hard to get some peace in my life. Your prayers are so appreciated.
Blessings,
Andrea
I am praying for healing from my past, past disappointments, hurtful words, emotional eating, rejection, insecurities, marriage communication, and knowing how to accept love and friendships. Thank you.
Sonja
Must be a God thing that Tina’s request is above mine. I have a HUGE heart for babies, esp. those suffering from illness. I volunteered at UNC Children’s Hospital for two years as a Pediatric Cuddler and am a licensed foster parent in North Carolina. I was born with a hole in my heart (septal defect) that required open heart surgery at age 6. The hole was the size of a nickel by that point and doctors told my parents I would not live past age 15 without the surgery … I am 32 now and no sign of a murmur. Tina, I will be praying for you and your beautiful girl!!!
My love for babies has also inspired my new career choice. Starting in August, I will enter the pre-nursing program at my local community college with the ultimate goal of working in the newborn nursery or the NICU. Please pray for me as I begin this journey … finances are an issue as I have been unemployed for since the end of April. Time management will also be key.
In addition, please pray for my health. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia last year, which is a very painful chronic pain condition accompanied by severe fatigue. I am taking lots of medicine and have recently been put on a very strict, yucky diet (no “white” or processed foods, nothing with corn or corn syrup, etc.). It has been very difficult for me. I am single and feel very alone and overwhelmed by it all. I have actually gotten off of it the last three days. Just fed up and quit. So I also have guilt about that and need to find that motivation and commitment again … remind myself that I am worth it and ultimately I will be healthier and happier as a result of following doctor’s orders. Just wish there was an easier way.
Finally, my heart’s desire is to be a mom. I want that more than anything in the world. The desire has only increased the past few years as I have been fostering newborns from the time they are released from the hospital for the week or 10 days until their adoption is finalized. I feel God has placed adoption on my heart as the means to be a mom. There are so many kids out there who need love and I have so much to give. But adoption is not cheap and not all agencies allow singles to adopt. I know God is bigger than any red tape and can make a way. I just can’t see HOW or WHEN at this point, and it is so hard. I already have the nursery all set up for my foster babies. And it is getting harder and harder to let them go when the time comes. I am ready for my chance to nurture someone from infancy to adulthood. Just please pray for wisdom and that my trust will grow through this process.
And thanks, Renee, for reminding me that asking for prayer and for help is NOT burdening others. It fosters community and intimacy God desires us to have with others.
Blessings,
Jenn
P.S. Several others posted since I started writing this. I will still pray for Tina, but will also be praying for those in between:)
Please pray for safe journey mercies for my husband and I as we start our vacation tomorrow morning (Sat. July 19th). My first name is Marilyn and I am from Ontario, Canada
My prayer request is that as I go into the end of July and first of August that God will show me everyday what I need to focus on that day. This summer I have taken over as the MOPS Coordinator for our church and all the responsibilities of that new position on top of taking care of my family is having an impact on my health and my relationships. My husband is concerned that I am not placing MOPS second to my son. Trying to keep a four year old entertained, that will not play by himself and does not nap, is wearing me out and I am overwhelmed by my to-do list right now. Please pray for balance in my life and that I will lean on Him and ask Him, “God, what do I need to do today? Not tomorrow, just today?” My verses I am clinging too right now are Matthew 6:33-34, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Thank you my praying sister. God bless you!
Brandee
http://www.setmyfeetonarock.blogspot.com
hello, I have a prayer request if someone has a few minutes to listen to my story.We live in Tenn near the Smoky Mountains.We’ve always wanted to live here we visiting on vaction many times. We’ve been here 5 years and it has been nothing but a finacial struggle.Work here is so hard to come by let’s just say ethics is a big part of it.My husband is a very responable man when it comes to working he held his job for 12 years in Fl.We own a small bussiness that is barely staying a float.We need prayer for our finacial burdens.Our family is in florida and we am ready to move back.We need Gods guidance for for our struggle it’s been 5 years we are ready for relief. God never gives us more than he knows we can handle, God answers prayers and keep praying this is what we hold onto daily and I read proverbs 31 daily(for about 3 weeks now)
Thanks for reading and God Bless ya’ll Bhutch
My prayer request is that after 21 years of marriage and now with 3 teenagers, my husband will see the need to help with our finances instead of hoarding it all away in case of an “emergency”. I foot most of the bills.
Kathy
My prayer request is for my 17 year old daughter. She has always been a sweet, helpful, compliant, obidient and loving girl until about thr time she started Jr. High. Her grades started slowly slipping and now she is trying everything and announced she is not longer going to church. This breaks my heart. Not just for my daughter but for a generation that seems to all be going down the same path. Lady’s please join me in prayer for our kids. Let’s pray that they see God for who He is and that they come to know that what they are looking for can only be found in Jesus!!!! Please help me pray for wisdom in guiding my daughter during this time in our lives. Blessings! Claudia
My request is for God to show me what I need to do or say as lately I feel 'attacked' by people I love and friends. This year has been a really tough one emotionally/physically and spiritually and I don't know if I am being overly sensitive or if I am to change myself in some way but the comments have cut to my heart. I am feeling depressed & worthless..