Look to God and Live… Joyfully!

When I was growing up and would go to my mother with a problem she would inevitably always say, before offering any advice, “have you fasted and prayed about it yet?” From my earliest years I have witnessed the immeasurable power of prayer. My survival from a medication reaction, the reversal of an irreversible eye issue that was leading to blindness, the miraculous healing when the hospital’s doctors had no more answers, and many more circumstances were all testaments to what happens when people unify in prayer to help another person.

I admit that I find it easier to pray for others than for myself. I’m assuming that the reason for that is best discussed with a counselor, haha. The truth is, though, that although “thoughts and prayers” is a phrase that is often mocked in today’s political environment, it is exactly thoughts and prayers that can often do the most good for people. Lifting voices in prayer for another person helps to call upon the power of heaven on behalf of others, it helps us focus our own thoughts outside of ourselves, and it allows us to be led by the Spirit to action to help in concrete ways (if that is a possibility in any given situation).

The other day I had such an experience. I was talking to a dear friend who has been through some very difficult trials throughout her life, any one of which could have destroyed her. She is one of the strongest and most optimistic people I know, however, and she somehow manages to find the silver lining in any and all situations. I’ve never heard her cry, except when feeling overwhelmed with gratitude and love. It’s amazing. Anyway, I needed to ask her a question about something the other day and when I called her I was shocked and dismayed to hear tears in her voice as she struggled not to cry. The fact that this very strong and sunshine-looking woman was on the verge of tears suggested that she was going through something big. Sure enough, as we talked I learned some extremely devastating news. It wasn’t even her own trial that was causing the tears, but instead she was crying because of a situation concerning some of her grown children and a huge trial that they were going through. We talked. I asked what I could do, and she asked for prayers. She had faith that prayers could give her children peace, could impact the trajectory of the situation, and could allow for clear minds to govern. It was a little thing, but it was the only thing I could do. She gave me the names of everyone involved and I prayed. She since told me that she felt those prayers and that she felt better because of them. She felt hope and comfort that she’d been unable to feel on her own. Prayers work. It will be a long time before the final outcome of this situation is known, but having peace is a great gift for those who are in turmoil.

Several years ago I knew a woman named Donna. Every single morning Donna woke up and prayed first thing to know who she needed to help that day. She didn’t always get answers, but when she did she acted on it and set out to serve. Her prayers, followed by action, blessed the lives of many many people. Recently I learned of another woman who has chosen to follow a similar path and I’ve heard at least one story of how she’s been able to reach someone who was struggling.

Sometimes I think that we can be embarrassed to ask for prayers. Okay, at least I am often too embarrassed to ask for prayers. In my case I don’t want to appear weak or unable to handle things on my own. That isn’t a good thing, and I know that. In fact, I can give quite the full-throated lecture on the subject. Just recently I learned of someone who had been hospitalized for a month, nearing death. No one in their family knew. Prayers were unable to be offered on his behalf. An opportunity for growing closer as a family was lost and it was a lost opportunity for greater peace to be felt by this individual and their spouse. Every time I think about this I am determined to not let another person go without feeling the strength of knowing people are praying for them.

On Facebook I belong to a group called, “Worldwide Unified.” This page originally began as a place where people could share their faith as they fasted and prayed for an end to COVID and for the arrival of a vaccine. It has since turned into a place where people of many faiths come to ask for prayer on the behalf of themselves or a loved one. There are more than 556,500 members. The stories members post are heartbreaking. Dozens of people typically respond, promising to pray for the person in need. The follow-up stories of miracles, of peace, of feeling loved and cared for are powerful. I find so much strength in reading about and praying for these individuals that I have never met and in talking to others I learn that they are also similarly blessed.

Recently I had a situation where I was struggling in my interactions with someone. They were seriously getting on my nerves. I decided to pray for them. I didn’t pray that I’d enjoy them more or that they would change in their communications with me, but rather I decided to just pray for them – that they’d have positive experiences and feel loved. It was amazing what happened. I felt more charity with them and they had some positive experiences that blessed their life. As their life improved they became much happier and peaceful. It was a valuable lesson on this usage of prayer.

One of my favorite poets wrote:

Pray for me. More things are wrought by prayer
Than this world dreams of. Wherefore, let thy voice
Rise like a fountain for me night and day.
For what are men better than sheep or goats
That nourish a blind life within the brain,
If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer
Both for themselves and those who call them friend?
For so the whole round earth is every way
Bound by gold chains about the feet of God.

Alfred, Lord Tennyson

The scriptures enjoin us to watch out for and care for each other. If a sparrow doesn’t fall without the Lord’s notice, then the daily experiences – the sorrows, the pains, the struggles – that people have are also witnessed. He asks us, each of us, to reach out and to care. The best care always begins with prayer. As Tennyson noted, how are we better than the animals if, knowing God and His works, we don’t pray to Him?

One of my favorite gospel songs is What a Friend We Have in Jesus. I love the message of hope that comes from the injunction to pray:

What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer

Oh, what peace we often forfeit
Oh, what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged
Take it to the Lord in prayer

Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness
Take it to the Lord in prayer

Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire and it can indeed turn “night to day.” Praying for those around us will bless them and strengthen us. Whatever the need, whatever the trial, whatever the struggle we see around us, we can’t go wrong by “tak[ing] it to the Lord in prayer.”