Suzie came to the edge of the stage and asked if I needed anything before I spoke to the women filling the seats. I had almost everything that I needed.
Microphone. Check.
Water. Check.
Outline. Check.
Tissues (because I almost always cry a little when I talk about Jesus). Check.
But I needed one more thing. So when Suzie asked me if I needed anything, I told her what I needed most of all:
“Prayer.”
She nodded, promised to pray, and then started to walk. But she didn’t walk away; she walked to the other side of the stage.
“Come with me,” she said, motioning me to a quiet corner.
And there, behind my podium, I knelt. She grabbed my hands and began to pray. Suzie asked for God to settle my nerves, for words to flow, and for the Holy Spirit to be present and powerful.
I was deeply moved and beyond grateful for her on-the-spot prayer. Her prayers were the fuel I needed to deliver an hour-long talk about book publishing to a room full of hopeful writers.
I didn’t know until after I returned home to Iowa that a woman in the audience, Tiffany, snapped that photo while we prayed. Like me, Tiffany was moved by Suzie’s obedience to prayer. She sent me the photo and told me this:
My readers are saying things like “I constantly feel on the outside of my relationships” or “I see other women connecting sincerely with each other, but I don’t have that kind of relationship with my friends.” I think prayer is a powerful way we connect intimately with each other.
Tiffany was right. When Suzie prayed with me, I felt a connection to God, but I also felt a connection to Suzie, who cared enough about me and the other women in the room to pray.
That’s what God intended.
For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.
Matthew 18:20 (ESV)
You can’t see God in the photo, but according to His promise, He was among us.
When I look at that photo, I think of how many times I’ve told someone I would pray, rather than actually praying in that moment. I think of how many times I’ve told someone I’d pray then completely forgot!
Sisters, let’s stop promising to pray, and start linking hands to pray on the spot. When we gather like that, we draw a deeper connection to one another, and we invite God to move powerfully in our presence.
Scripture says that one of the reasons we haven’t received God’s best for us is because we haven’t asked! I want God’s best for me, and I also want God’s best for my sisters. I want to grow in intimate friendship with God and also with His daughters. Those relationships can begin with prayer.
Let’s stop saying, “I’ll pray for you,” and start saying, “Let me pray for you now.”
I know how intimidating that can be, but we don’t have to speak in the King James version. Thou hast no time for that, unless of course, thou prefer-eth it! We don’t have to come up with all the right words. Start like this: “Hi, God. It’s us.” Then go! If you want to change the world today, kneel with someone you love and pray.
Pray at the bedside or in the cubicle. When you see a friend asking for prayer on Facebook, write a pray in the comments, or call her. Pray in the grocery store, at the dentist’s office, at the pool. Invite the Holy Spirit to move among you.
Imagine a world where we all stopped what we were doing to pray instead of promising to do it later. Prayer matters. Each of us needs to know that the shaky-voiced prayer of a Jesus Girl ripples to the highest heaven and invites a powerful force upon the earth.
Leave a Comment
Irma says
Hi Jennifer! Thank you for sharing this with us today. I often have friends who request for prayer while talking or chatting with them and I tend to make a mental note about it. This was eye opening, it is so much better to pray in the Now. Surrounding our closed and far away ones with prayers is for me an act of love.
God bless you!
Jennifer Dukes Lee says
So glad this spoke to you Irma. Grateful for your words today.
Lisa says
Thank you for being a word of encouragement and hope, dear Jennifer.
This is a call for warrior help for my homeland Kerala which is reeling under nature’s fury and massive floods. My loved ones are trapped without food or proper drinking water.
This is a time where we need miracles and if two stand and call Heaven hears
Please help any way possible
Jeanne says
Lord, you calmed the storm. You told us that these things you do, we would do also, and greater things than these. You promised to save those who call on your name, and you gave us authority over all the power of the enemy. Today we stand on those promises and command the storms in Kerala “Peace, be still, in the name of Jesus.” We pray supernatural protection and blessing on Lisa’s loved ones, for the praise of the glory of Your name, because of Your mercy and great love for them. Thank you Lord, that your Word does not return void but accomplishes the purpose for which you sent it. Thank you Lord for your limitless grace and protection. We praise You and give you thanks and honor and glory.
Debbie says
Father, please hear our prayer for Lisa’s homeland, and especially for her loved ones who are trapped and struggling without basic needs. Lord, we don’t know what to do to help, but we know you do, and you can! Please, Lord, intervene in this situation. Provide your rescue, your strength, your comfort. Give your wisdom and peace, that there would be clarity of mind so that decisions will be made, actions taken that will truly help. And may people see and give you honor for who you are, the true rescuer and redeemer!
Thalia in Jamaica says
Hi. Father, we come before you now and offer our selves foe the people of Kerala. Please comfort the affected and strengthen the rescuers. Lord, wipe the tears and quiet the hearts of those in need. Help us to be channels of peace and instruments of compassion. Move our hearts to offer aid where and when we are able. Special comfort the loved ones waiting for news of their family and friends in Jesus’ name, AMEN.
Diana F says
Father in heaven, what hope we have in joining our prayers together here for you have promised to hear the cries of your children. We lift up the families in Kerala who are enduring this devastation. We plead on their behalf for your to send aid for their great need at this moment. We pray that you bring comfort to their souls as they process this calamity. May you draw unbelievers into your presence through hearing the gospel of truth and grace in Jesus Christ. Remind those who are your children already of your steadfast love in the midst of trials and help them live out through the Holy Spirit, “Rejoice in all circumstances” even while they grieve deeply the losses all around them. Enable us to “weep with those who weep.” Thank you, O Lord, for your power to all these things and even more than we ask! Amen.
Jennifer Dukes Lee says
Dear Lord,
I lift up Lisa, and her homeland Kerala. I pray for protection, for healing, for your strength in a devastating situation. Thank you for hearing our cries, Father. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Lisa says
Thank you Jennifer for igniting a spark of encouragement and hope in me.
At this very moment , my homeland Kerala , India is being severely battered under torrential rains and massive floods. My loved ones at home are trapped without access to basic provisions like food or water .
Please raise up and hold in prayers. For we need miracles to work in this hour .
Thank you and God bless you all
Beth Williams says
Lisa.
Father God,
Help those in Kerala,India. Send rescue to Lisa’s relatives. Give them the necessary food & water. Send peace & comfort to Lisa’s soul. Take the rains away & let the healing begin. Send your healing hand to everyone. I ask in Jesus’ Name.
AMEN!
Blessings 🙂
Emily B. says
Dear Lord, be with the people of Kerala. We need miracles, and we know you are the Giver of miracles and hope. Please fill this land with the food and water that is needed, and with hope, which is needed even more. Please sooth all the anxious hearts, especially Lisa’s, with your peace and remind them that you are at work and in control even now. Amen.
Emily B. says
“So do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
M says
Lord I pray for the people in Kerala. Please surround them with Your love and Your power. Give them comfort in this literal storm in life. Please send help that they need. Protect them and keep them safe and most of all let them feel Your Prescence. Amen.
Kimberly says
Dear God, hand in hand with Lisa we pray that you be with the people of Kerala, India and protect them from the torrential rains and massive floods they are experiencing. Free Lisa’s family so that they can receive clean water and food and any other assistance they may need. Allow Lisa’s family to get through this storm safely and in the process move closer in relationship with you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Michele Morin says
I want to be this kind of friend, too–the kind who drops to her knees between fridge and microwave over the need of a friend. I wonder if we imagine that prayer has to happen in a “sacred space,” and I also wonder how many opportunities I’ve missed to create “sacred space” by praying on the spot. Thanks you Tiffany for snapping the picture, and Jennifer: I needed this reminder that prayer can be the sweet connection that invites intimacy and leads to a deeper togetherness in Christ.
Jennifer Dukes Lee says
Thanks so much for reading along, Michele. You are so right. We make assumptions that we have to be in a certain place, or say certain right words. I love that we can come to the Lord wherever and whenever.
Karen says
What a simple and beautiful message and certainly one I will apply to my life starting right now.
Jennifer Dukes Lee says
Thanks, Karen. So glad these words spoke to you.
Beth Williams says
Stephanie,
This reminds me of lines in Stephen Curtis’s song”Pray”. I hear you say your heart is aching. And you ask if I’ll be praying for you please. And in keeping with convention I’ll say yes with good intentions. To pray later making mention of your needs. But since we have this moment here at heaven’s door We should start knocking now, what are we waiting for? Yes. What are we waiting for? Let’s stop & pray right here & now. Bonnie Gray stated in her boo “Whispers of Rest” that we can do breath prayers. Just breathe in & say one word or two. Breathe out & finish prayer. Prayer doesn’t have to be some have big fancy words. He wants open honest child-like hearts that speak what’s on our minds. He wants relationships & they involve conversations. Just think of prayer as a conversation with a friend. Stop praying later & do it now!
Blessings 🙂
Jennifer Dukes Lee says
Oh, I love Bonnie Gray and her book Whispers of Rest. I need to pull that one off the shelf again. xo
Mandy Barney says
Thank you! There have been so many times I’ve asked for prayers from my friends and that’s exactly what they say. But the few times that actually someone prays for me on the spot is when I can truly feel the Holy Spirit at work. It’s amazing how you almost instantly can feel at ease. I will definitely be sharing this with my sisters in Christ!
Jennifer Dukes Lee says
Yes! That’s so true. Thanks for sharing, Mandy!
Sarah Beckman says
I love this!! My motto “don’t just say it… pray it!” Thx for the powerful reminder.
Jennifer Dukes Lee says
So fab! Love your motto, Sarah.
Kathy says
Thank you for this message! I just shared it with a prayer.
Jennifer Dukes Lee says
So wonderful. Thank you, Kathy. Love your heart.
Agnes says
Amen, amen, amen!!! I have multiple sister-friends and how did we get there?? Exactly this, over many years!!! I loooove this!!!
Jennifer Dukes Lee says
Love that, Agnes! Thanks for sharing.
Gena Grace Quarantello says
Please pray for my fiance David who is in Afghanistan special forces trying to get US Drs who are bring held hostage out. Very brutal times there. Please pray for the mission to be successful and the safe return of his troops, the hostages and himself so he can also come home when this mission is complete. He is retiring after this mission and coming home and we will continue helping other together. In Jesus name I pray and thank you all for your prayers. Gena
Janine says
Dear Gena – the message in this devotion is don’t just say you’ll pray but stay and pray so, I felt compelled to pray for your special request. …
Dear Living and Loving Lord of all – thank you for the privelege of meeting You in the private closet or our hearts and minds through prayer – for being invited by You personally to pray with and over others. I pray for Gena’s “Peace that surpasses” while she is separated from her fiancé David – Lord – lavish her with Your Grace of peace that the world cannot give her as David is overseas doing protection for others in hostile situations.
I pray for Your Peace to protect and to prevail – – even penetrating the minds and hearts of perpetrators that are causing discord and war.
I pray for all the families who must be terrified and worried about their doctors or soldiers that are being held against their will. Lord: thank you for your Goodness in the land of the Living. We pray for safety for soldiers fighting for freedom. Your Peace is the only gift that can assist in these circumstances and situations that only the Spirit of God is aware of. So we ask for Peace in abundance and for your Gentle Peace to keep our hearts away from worry by aligning with your loving thoughts for all involved. In Jesus’ Powerful, Beautiful and Peaceful name – Amen.
Gena says
Thank you Janine for your beautiful prayer
Jennifer Dukes Lee says
Lord, I lift up Gena and David to you right now, joining Janine with her beautiful pray. We pray peace, protection, strength for each day. Bring Gena and David together and bless their upcoming marriage, and the union that they are creating together, with you in the middle. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Mary Geisen says
I want my actions to speak louder than my words. May I be the kind of friend who prays at the moment they ask. Thank you for your words.
Jennifer Dukes Lee says
If I was a betting woman, I’d bet that you ARE that kind of friend. xo
Diana F says
Father in heaven, what hope we have in joining our prayers together here for you have promised to hear the cries of your children. We lift up the families in Kerala who are enduring this devastation. We plead on their behalf for your to send aid for their great need at this moment. We pray that you bring comfort to their souls as they process this calamity. May you draw unbelievers into your presence through hearing the gospel of truth and grace in Jesus Christ. Remind those who are your children already of your steadfast love in the midst of trials and help them live out through the Holy Spirit, “Rejoice in all circumstances” even while they grieve deeply the losses all around them. Enable us to “weep with those who weep.” Thank you, O Lord, for your power to all these things and even more than we ask! Amen.
Carol says
Hi Jennifer.
That is an awesome article. I am so guilty of telling people that I will pray and I do, but not with them in person or on the phone.
I intend to be more intentional about this with anyone who needs prayer. My Bible Study/Share Gp. prays every week together, but when we see each other individually and need a prayer, we don’t stop and pray. Thanks so much for holding us to accountability.
I just wish I could print these articles so I can share them, but I don’t see any way to print them.
Thanks again.
Jennifer Dukes Lee says
So glad this spoke to you! I wish I knew how to advise you on printing the article, but you could share in other ways, such as forwarding your email to your friends, or sharing on FB and other social media. Thanks for wanting to share this with others!
Diana F says
I love to pray for others at the moment! So encouraging to be reminded to keep offering and to hear of others doing this with hearts in agreement. Sometimes I have experienced resistance when I offer. This tends to happen with people who didn’t grow up in church, are new believers or perhaps not believers yet. I imagine it comes as a shock to them and they are uncomfortable. When it first happened, I thought maybe I shouldn’t ask anymore, but the Lord continues to take this fragile heart of mine and strengthen it by His Spirit to keep asking, gently. I would appreciate prayer for me in this regard as I tend to have a sensitive heart and can take it personally if my heart is not guarded by the Lord. I pray for each of you as you walk in taking these risks with others. It truly is a blessing when the prayer is given and received in agreement!
Alex says
Challenged by this far more than expected! ❤
Becky Keife says
Jennifer! Oh, friend. This just gives me all the feels. This is what walking out our faith in the body looks like. This is what it means to need each other, to be better together. This is how we change the world, by praying … not later … but now! xx
Gracious God, thank you for Suzie’s beautiful example of praying on the spot and thank you for gifting Jennifer with the ability to share about it to encourage all of us. Give each one of your daughters who reads this post eyes to see an opportunity this week to stop and pray with someone in need. Thank you for your Spirit who lives in us and empowers us to do things we’d be too scared or uncertain to do on our own. Move in and through us! We’re willing. Amen!
Charlene Johnson-Boyd says
Thank you for this timely subject. I faced so many challenges during the 2017-18 year. Not as much with the children as adults. There was 3 very special friends that went the extra mile and took my hand and prayed. It didn’t matter where we were. God spoke to them to speak to me his words of comfort and encouragement. Had it not been for these warriors, I don’t think I would have made it to the end of the school year. I am so pleased to say the year actually ended with smiles and pleasantries beyond belief. A hug from me and apology from the most unlikely person. God is so great. I am looking forward to the best year ever. God bless all of you.
Ada Joe says
Thanks for sharing this Jennifer… God bless…
Gena says
Thank you Janine for your beautiful prayer
Leslie says
Technology has made evil so very available. But it has also made the ability to share our needs with prayer warriors super easy!
My mission circle members send out a group text for prayer. We can immediately pray for that need (and then reply that a prayer has been sent up on their behalf). It is also so easy that when God brings someone to mind to say a prayer for them and then let them know you are thinking of them and praying for them.
Elsa Seidel says
With age, it seems, has come a lack of intimidation for me. I know the clerks and service personnel at the businesses I frequent. So noticing the tiredness in a pharmacy tech’s eyes, I asked how I could pray for her. The tears came readily and I leaned across the counter, gave a hug and whispered a prayer. Let me be Jesus to those always around me.
Jen Fletcher says
I love this call to action, to live out our faith in our everyday lives! I’m going to start doing that for sure!
Becky Beresford says
Oh my Lord, Jennifer!
Thank you for this! As a crazy busy Momma, I have all the good intentions in the world to pray for my people or for those Jesus lays heavily on my heart. But so often, the insanity of the day takes me off in a different direction and I FORGET! But I love this… Thank you for encouraging my heart to stop and pray in the moment and connect with others as I pray for them right then and there. Sooooo good!
Here’s to being the pray now-ers!
Becky
Niki Hardy says
Jennifer, I just love this.
As a cancer survivor, I so appreciated it when people prayed for me but it was even more powerful and I felt more seen and held when they said: “Let’s pray now.” Whether we were in the car, in a coffee shop, on the phone, or I was in the chemo chair.
So now I pray right in the moment. Not just to bless the other person and invite Jesus into their struggles (that should happen whenever I pray) but to prevent the VERY real problem of me forgetting to later that day!!
Thank you for the wonderful reminder.
Niki
xx