Prayers Come Home

A prayer is a journey released.

I believe

That when you pray for other people, that prayer goes on a journey,

And like all journeys, come back home.

Prayer returned home.

Come back home in the manner it was released – with either faith, hope and love or faithless, hopeless and loveless.

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:36)

I remember praying healing for someone who had experienced a life-threatening injury

And through the journey of the prayer

Over months and months

That healing prayer came back to heal us of secondary infertility.

“I exhort therefore, that first of all supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men” (1 Timothy 2:1).

Over the last few months, our family has been praying

For Annie to return, to come home (see this post) – praying with faith, hope and love.

While we prayed for Annie, we prayed for a son, prayed with faith, hope and love – For this son to sell out to Jesus.

This son who couldn’t wait to leave home, busted out of home when he graduated from high school last year, signed up for the reserves and has become a better man, Friday night, he said, “It’s come my time to find God and come home.” He didn’t just say it to me; he said it on Facebook, kind of like he needed to say it to the world.

Prayer sent out on a journey returned home.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him” (Luke 6: 30).

24 hours later, Annie came home, too. We were in our car, returning from a far-away wedding, celebrating a heart-friend’s daughter’s marriage, a marriage beginning God-centered, faith-centered – and I wanted to dance, to celebrate God’s amazing love, His never-give-up-ness with this answered prayer returned home from its journey.

“Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven”(Psalm 107:28-30).

Praying is not a stagnant action. A prayer is a journey released, returning home returning home in the manner released. Unasked for. Unexpected.

449. The daily, familiar blessings, like the cardinals, mockingbirds, dove calls

450. Squirrels rummaging through the hay outside my work window

451. Strawberry, Watermelon and lemonade icy smoothy

452. “You have made me glad. I’ll say of the Lord you are my shield, my strength, my portion deliver, My shelter, Strong Tower, My very Present Help in time of need” (Made Me Glad, Hillsong) – a song in my heart whether at my work desk, in my car, my kitchen, or in a hammock under my tree – Releasing that song in my heart – no one else could hear it – but me and God!

453. Boys worn out from swimming, the evidence of sunshine on their cheeks.

454. A date day with my husband, with a heart-friend’s daughter’s wedding.

455. Lunch at the Cheesecake Factory – my favorite Club Sandwich and a cup of coffee.

456. Walking in a real mall, window shopping and some real shopping

457. My husband gifting me with Tocca’s Stella perfume which I have wanted since January.

458. Good haircuts on my boys – I don’t know why but a good haircut makes me feel like everything is on the right track.

459. My littlest guy coming up, wrapping me in a hug, “I love you, Mom.”

460. Laughing with my new senior son! He’s going to be a camp counselor-in-training. No flirting allowed. I tried coaching him to say, “I’m here to serve Jesus. Please respect my decision” when girls hit on him. Instead of repeating after me, he said, “Send me your number. I’ll call you when camp is over” – I couldn’t stop laughing because, while he has great lines, he’s not a smooth, shallow pick-up guy. He is so full of the Joy of the Lord.

461. Wheat fields, swaying in a cool 78 degree breeze

462. My camera through which I have learned to live more fully where I am – we arrived at the South Union Shaker Village wedding site early taking in detail in an intentional way, not a skimmed-over-way.

463. Hugs from dear friends not seen enough

464. new love consecrated in marriage, made one through the Holy Spirit – and the couple inviting God into their union knowingly, whole-heartedly, eyes wide open.

465. My sons jeep pulling into the driveway.

466. Brother’s smiling, not saying but actions speaking loudly, welcoming a brother home.

467. Showing my neighbor’s 4 year old how to draw cats on the sidewalk with the sidewalk chalk and little girls in polka dot dresses.

468. People caring enough to pray, to connect, to have relationship – people caring enough to send their prayers on a journey.

469. Nikki at Simply Striving who read “Bicycling with Ava” to her son and she telling me he asked to hear it again. I’m still smiling!

470. Annie coming home!

471. Understanding that the coming home is just the beginning of another journey.

 

Originally posted on Blue Cotton Memory.