Love Prays. The words embossed on a T-shirt and purchased as a fundraiser for a dying young girl whose life I had only followed through an online blog, have had far-reaching effects. The vibrant life of the small child for which these words were penned may be gone, but the message of her life and those who loved her will live forever. They, like myself, are believers in the One True God and share the gospel of the Good News of Jesus with all.

Love Prays. A simple but powerful phrase -- simple enough to make an unfamiliar onlooker curious. Powerful enough to cause an overpowering reaction in anyone who’s experienced answered prayers. 

Love Prays. Whether wearing my shirt, seeing it neatly folded waiting to be put away or even crumpled in a hamper waiting to be washed, my shirt prompts me to pray.

That shirt also brought me to a true friend in the Word. Not just an acquaintance, a true friend -- someone to study, serve, worship, and socialize with. She was a member of a short study we took together. After our last class, she approached me and simply asked, “Can we be friends?”. I remembered days earlier when she asked to borrow my notes. I noticed “Love Prays” written at the top of her paper. The message on my shirt had resonated with her, a kindred spirit, indeed.

Initially, we were like two peas in a pod. That is until a personal disagreement lodged a deep wedge between us. Hateful words caused hurt feelings. We didn’t speak to each other for nearly three weeks! It was a difficult time for both of us, but we both put prayer into action -- Love Prays. Ultimately, the love of Christ and complete trust in Christ mended our broken place by allowing humility and forgiveness to triumph over pride. The result was a restored relationship.

Jesus' death and resurrection allowed us to have a restored relationship with God. He came down from heaven not to do His own will but to do the will of God the Father (John 6:38).

In looking at Jesus’ prayer life, S.D. Gordon describes it as follows:

Prayer...was not only His regular habit, but His resort in every emergency, however slight or serious. When perplexed He prayed. When hard pressed by work, He prayed. When hungry for fellowship He found it in prayer. He chose His associates and received His message upon His knees. If tempted, He prayed. If criticized, He prayed. If fatigued in body or wearied in spirit, He had resources to His one unfailing habit of prayer. Prayer brought Him unmeasured power at the beginning, and kept the flow unbroken and undiminished. There was no emergency, no difficulty, no necessity, no temptation that would not yield to prayer...How much prayer meant to Jesus! (S.D. Gordon, Quiet Talks on Prayer)

Jesus was humble enough to rely on God for everything. We would be wise to follow His example. Perhaps, through the isolation happening in the world today, God is saying, “Connect with me.” Perhaps, Jesus is asking us to look to Him for friendship. Perhaps, the Holy Spirit is calling on us to be our Comforter if we simply set aside our pride and pray for our world and for those we love. After all, God is love (1 John 4.8) and Jesus has led the way by showing us that love prays.

ABOUT THE BLOGGER

Yvonne worked as an administrative assistant for Fortune 500 companies but holds true to the belief that raising special needs children has been her most difficult but rewarding job. She and her husband, Don, have two adopted  special needs adult children. She has a passion for truth and is happiest planted in Bible studies, loving on children and sharing Jesus’ message with others.

Willowdale is here for you during COVID-19

The virus is having dramatic health, economic, and social effects on our community. Please see the links below for how we’ve responded to the virus and how our ministries have adapted to online opportunities for us to stay in touch. We have a growing team of Care Specialists who are prepared to offer their skills and compassion. Our Care Funds will support those hit hardest financially. We want to be especially available to our seniors, to those with existing health problems, and to our medical professionals. 

• Willowdale’s response to COVID-19: Click here. 

• Ministry happenings: Click here. 

• Willowdale’s Care page: Click here.