Who’s Texting Me This Late?

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” Ephesians 6:18 (NLT)

I got the phone call no woman wants to get. “Mrs. Pope, this is your doctor’s office calling in reference to your mammogram. We need to schedule a diagnostic exam.”

< Insert gasp, followed by silence >

Fear filled my body and what-ifs consumed my mind: What if the diagnostic exam showed cancer? What if I have to have chemotherapy? What if? What if? What if?

The day finally arrived. My husband, Scott, who was driving me to the appointment, came home a little later from work than I had hoped. Then my nephew showed up to help with a project and needed some instructions, which took up even more of our limited time.

My heart pounded as we wheeled out of the driveway. We were going to be late. Scott drove fast to try to make up for the time we lost. While I appreciated his effort, it only added to my already heightened anxiety. With each passing moment I became more fretful. It was obvious, I needed prayer.

I sent this text message to a friend, “I need prayer now. I will explain later.”

Meg’s reply was instant, “Praying now Wendy.”

Fast-forward several weeks.

My phone chimed signaling a new message. I glanced at the clock. Who is messaging me this late?

“I just wanted to let you know that I was praying for you.”

Two weeks had passed and I’d gotten the all clear from my doctor, but amazingly Meg was still praying for me.

“Thanks Meg. I’m still praying for your prayer request too,” I texted back.

She thanked me for being one of her prayer warriors.

“That’s what we do. We are Jesus girls,” I replied.

Today’s key verse encourages us to pray at all times and on every occasion. At first glance such a suggestion may seem overwhelming, but Paul was simply saying: pray prayer upon prayer. Whether we pray individually or in a group, aloud or silent, kneeling or standing, pray.

The prayer doesn’t have to be fancy with big church words like thee and thou. Paul’s message is just pray.

Prayer connects our heart with another’s in a way we can’t explain. Through prayer, we share in the weight of the burden and are able to sympathize with circumstances the person is facing. Our hearts join together in prayer and create an explainable bond of love.

Prayer invites God into the situation. As we pray our faith grows. Our growing faith moves God to act on our behalf and work all things together for our good.

Prayer also unites our heart with God. This unique union prompts and enables us to follow Paul’s instruction concerning prayer.

Just pray — that’s what Jesus girls do.

When the text comes late at night — we pray.

When a friend calls, we don’t question — we pray.

We pray in groups, in pairs and individually. We pray for each other. We pray for our country. We pray for our leaders. We pray for the unsaved and for the saved. We pray for our churches. We pray for our pastors. We pray at all times on every occasion. We pray prayers upon prayers.

That’s what Jesus girls do.

How are you today? Perhaps you need prayer, or maybe you are one who can offer to pray. Will you meet me over on my blog today? Let’s keep it simple. No questions asked. No explanations needed. I know some Jesus girls who would love to pray for you.

Dear Lord, I know You just want me to pray. You don’t need to hear big church words. You just want me to pray. Prompt me Lord; I will pray. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

16 Comments

  1. Please pray for the hardened hearts of my adult children to be softened for our Lord. (Michael & Melissa, Samantha, and Patrick) Thank you.

  2. Please pray that I may be given the strength and ability to care for my family.

  3. I too had the same experience with my mammogram. However, my biopsy was positive for cancer. I had a double mastectomy and reconstruction on May 3rd. Please pray that I will make the right decisions with my treatment, and that God would bring me to the right oncologists. Thank you!

  4. Please pray for my daughter who is going through a heartbreaking divorce. I pray that God’s will be done. Please pray for my precious grandchildren. And pray for me that I will know the right things to say to help her through this.

    I have prayed for all the requests listed above my prayer request. Be strong! God will never leave us nor forsake us.

  5. I was that woman, 13 years ago, who received the phone call from the doctor. “Melissa, I am so sorry to tell you the tumor is malignant. You have breast cancer.” At 44 years of age, I never thought that would be me. I still have tears at the thought of everything I endured and still endure from the diagnosis, surgery and treatments. I am alive and have a story to share. I pray for all affected by cancer, including the patients, family, friends, caregivers and everyone around them. I am thankful for all the prayers said for me then and now. Blessings.

  7. I had breast cancer seven years ago. I am fine now but still struggle with worry that cancer will come back I some form. I would appreciate prayer to stop worrying about that.
    Thank you

  8. My God is an awesome God! I saw the “Whose texting me this late” and first thought it was just junk and ignored it. Then today, after feeling overwhelmed from caring for my husband after his recent knee surgery and not getting much sleep, I felt stretched. He mentioned this morning that I needed to start leaving a little early, so I wouldn’t be rushing. I immediately went on the defense. In my mind I thought, I’m up 2 or 3 times a night with you, I’m tired, I’m trying to keep things running smooth at church, (My husband’s the Pastor), bringing the Word every Sunday, cook, clean, pay bills, teach, and before I go to bed every night, wash out your orthopedic stockings. And before I know it, I said it, “All I do is rush, I’m surprised I haven’t had a stroke”.
    The very thing I teach to other’s, I had not been doing lately. I am so glad that Christ gives us a discerning spirit, because I was sitting here working and I know it was His spirit that led me to read this instead of erasing it. I needed to be reminded of God’s Word that tells us in Philipians 4:6 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God”. That verse came to mind immediately after reading this post and the scripture on Praying at all occasions. Thank You Lord, and Thank You Wendy for praying for me

Comments are closed.