Someone is Praying for You
Yes, for you.
The funeral service of my beloved Grandmother stands out in my memory. Affectionately known as ‘Mother (Mama) Kelly’ she loved God and others with a quietness and confidence that characterised her strength. The service took place on a bright, but cold, February morning. The church soon became standing room only—packed with family, friends, and all whom she had embraced as close family filling every available space.
As I listened to tributes and stories about her character I noticed a distinct theme— like a golden thread woven around every person she had encountered in her lifetime.
The golden thread of prayer.
Mother Kelly was a praying woman. I recalled how family gatherings, no matter how ordinary or small, would end with her grabbing a nearby hand and quietly requesting that we “breathe a little word of prayer”.
As natural as breathing, she spoke gently. Her prayers were not particularly eloquent or polished. They were heartfelt and specific, demonstrating complete trust that the One she prayed to listened to every word.
I remember three word prayers such as “Lord keep them”, “Lord bless them” or “Lord guide them”. But this was all that needed to be said. I always felt comforted by the humility of her prayers. I witnessed a woman who knew her God; who believed that God is willing and able to help us in our time of need, that He rewards those that diligently seek Him. She took every opportunity to pray.
One of my heart's desires is to leave a legacy of prayer that lives on long after I am gone. A ‘behind closed doors’ with no one watching legacy of prayer.
I often think about all the prayers she must have prayed for me, not only with me but in her own private prayer times. I am overwhelmed with gratitude at the thought. I think about my other grandparents who were also believers in Jesus Christ… my mum and stepdad…friends…countless church members since childhood and their prayers for me over many years. What had I done to deserve such grace? Nothing.
What a merciful heavenly Father I have that He would move people to pray for me. Not necessarily because I have requested prayer, but because of their love and concern for me.
Many times I have drifted away from the path God has for me, many times I have been stubborn and unwise in my decisions, many times I have been downright presumptuous in my sins…yet even so…God makes sure that someone, somewhere, is praying for me.
He is doing the same for you. You may not be aware of any believers in your life who have prayed for you. Those close to you may even oppose your faith in Christ or seek to discourage your faith. But be encouraged, the Lord Jesus Himself is praying for you.
‘Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us.’ (Romans 8:34 CSB)
His Holy Spirit is praying for you.
‘In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.’ (Romans 8:26-27 CSB)
God is able to lead any of His people to pray for you at any time. We would be astonished if we knew the number of prayers prayed for us over the course of our lives. I am eternally grateful for the golden thread of prayer others have wrapped around my life. Where would I be without the grace of God made manifest through the heartfelt, Spirit led prayers of His faithful people?
Where would you be without the faithful prayers of those in your own life? May we also weave a golden thread of prayer around the lives of others. Leaving a legacy of prayer that lasts.
In loving memory of Mother Kelly.