Sep 13
Today’s Truth
Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to their tent (Exodus 33:10 NIV).
Friend to Friend
The room was hot. A fan pushed the sweltering 110+ degree air between us as we sat on the floor. When the reading 
lesson was complete, we were introduced. Shy smiles broke language and cultural barriers. A handful were Christians. Others practiced different religions. I asked several women to share their names. As one young woman spoke, she pointed at her mother, who stood in the back, and tears fell. The interpreter told me that her mother was seriously sick. She couldn’t afford a doctor, and she fell more ill each day.
I wanted to pray for her. If we were in a church, I wouldn’t have hesitated, but we were guests in this community, in this culture, and in this classroom. I wasn’t sure how praying would be received, so I simply pulled her close, hoping she’d know that I cared.
As we started to leave, I sensed the Holy Spirit. It was urgent.
Pray for her mother.
The feeling wouldn’t go away. I lingered at the edge of the room, even as the team started to leave.
“Is it okay if I pray for the young girl’s mother?” I whispered to one of the teachers.
“It’s always acceptable to pray,” she answered.
She asked the girl’s mother to come forward. I placed my hands gently in hers and started to pray. My close friend, Lynn, joined me. She placed her hands over mine. As the words went up, the presence of God sweetly wrapped around us. It was tangible. The mother’s face was wet with tears. Mine were wet as well. As I finished praying and opened my eyes, I found a crowd of women and girls pressed close, their cluster of faces totally expectant.
They wanted prayer too.
We prayed for each woman in that room, some of them twice as they came back for more. When we finally left, it was dark outside. We were exhausted and overwhelmed, but in such a good way.
To be honest, I almost missed that beautiful moment. I understand that we need discernment, and it’s important to be respectful in the way we love people, but I also wonder how many times I have allowed fear to keep me from showing God’s love to someone.
Prayer is powerful and we see that in today’s passage.
Moses is in the Tent of Meeting, smack dab in the middle of the wilderness. As Moses talks to God, the glory of God sweeps over the Tent of Meeting. Those standing at a distance are so enthralled, that they can’t help but worship.
“Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to their tent” (Exodus 33:10 NIV).
This is such a beautiful picture of the power of prayer.
We don’t know what Moses was praying about. It’s likely he was praying for the thousands that wandered in the wilderness. God used that time of prayer to reach those very people, showing them that He was real, drawing them closer to Him.
When you and I feel the Holy Spirit drawing us to pray for someone, it’s natural to feel apprehensive about that. Yet the Holy Spirit knows when it’s the right time. He knows when a heart is receptive, or hurting, or wondering if anyone is aware of their pain. He knows who is standing at a distance, and whose hearts are ready to worship Him too.
As He invites you to pray, it’s not about the words you say. Instead, it’s about the very real connection that God longs to have with that person, and also with you.
Let’s Pray
Jesus, I’ve allowed fear to get in the way of praying for others, even when there are people who long to feel Your presence. I trust You’ll show me when and who. Thank You for that,
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Do you struggle to pray because you don’t have the words?
God knows what those who you pray for need. He can use your obedience in powerful ways. As you pray, He will love them through your simple words.
More from the Girlfriends
When we are in a hard place, we may not know how to pray and yet we long to connect with God. 
Suzie’s new book, Prayer Starters: Talking with God About Hard Times will help a person connect with a God right where they are.
In Prayer Starters: Talking with God about Hard Times, Suzie shares 90 lead-in prayer starters grounded in scripture that any woman can make her own. It also includes encouragement and pauses so she can reflect and connect. This beautiful book is available for pre-order today!
(As an Amazon Associate, Girlfriends in God earns A SMALL COMMISSION from qualifying purchases using this paid link.)
© 2022 by Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
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Beautiful devotional. So very true about the power of prayer. I’ve seen it too often in my life to ever doubt it. I believe the Father listens to every prayer, whether it is prayed by the young or the old. It is communication with the father and I believe that pleases Him. Prayer is extremely important. God bless all.
I do too, Pamela. : )
I do believe in the power of prayer. I am constantly praying that I will have the wisdom and confidence to pray with others. My sister is battling cancer for 15 months plus. I pray silence for her but wish the fear would go away so that I can visit and pray out loud with and for her. I pray that the words will flow out of my mouth and we both feel the presence of god.
Blessings
Father, I pray for the right words at the right time, just as I pray that for myself. Thank you for leading us. Thank you that you love our siblings even more than we do. Thank you for such a beautiful prayer from Sheila, amen.
Oh, the power of prayer.
Yesterday, I mentioned my own struggle as of late….my prayer warriors are on it! I know Jesus is it!
Just reaching out to GIG has been a blessing through all of my pain and confusion.
Thank you for this am message.
I love the words, “My prayer warriors are on it!” That’s powerful.
Praying for you all but especially for Sheila and your sister. I have seen some miracles in my own life, maybe more than I’ve even recognized at the time, and I KNOW God hears, not only our words, but the desires of our hearts when we can’t speak the words.
I love that you took the time to pray for someone. That’s beautiful. You are an encourager!
Praying out loud is so much more simpler than we make it. We literally sometimes allow it to intimidate us, think of it as expressing your desire out loud to an able God. He won’t judge you.
A prayer for your sister from you Sheila would simply be:
Gracious Father, thank you for my sister and all we have together, I ask that you bless her as only you can, provide her peace and comfort as she deals with life day to day, as only you can. May she know nothing is too hard for you. In Jesus name, Amen.
Blessings
You got this
I appreciate what you said, Suzie, about the words really not being the main point. It’s the connection. Sometimes I freeze and don’t offer prayer because I don’t know what to say that will hit the mark for them. Your writing was helpful and relieving.
It’s always a good idea to pray for someone when you feel the Holy Spirit drawing you to do so. Don’t be afraid to pray for someone in a public setting – you may be surprised at how receptive people are to prayer.