“God warms his hands at man’s heart when he prays.” -John Masefield
I seriously doubt that God’s hands ever get cold but what a comforting thought this is. In fact, I believe that it is God’s heart that is warmed when we pray, especially when we pray for others. Last Sunday God gave me an opportunity to do just that, following RJ’s wonderful message about living in the promise that “God Hears Our Prayers.”
One of the blessings of these difficult days for us, has been the opportunity to walk everyday next door in Harbin Park. What started out a few years ago as one day, on Saturdays, became 3 days at the beginning of the pandemic. Then it became 6 days and normally I don’t walk on Sundays, but for some reason last week was different. Maybe it was triggered by all the images of looking through open doors to the outside, that the Media Team incorporated into the Postlude of last week’s service. Some would say that it was, simply, one of those Divine appointments arranged by Divine plans.
Our daily walks are about a mile and a half and the path is wide enough to maintain social distancing. We have met a number of regulars that we greet each morning and have even had a few brief conversations with some of them. Frequently we will pass each other twice, both coming and going.
His name was Fred, an elderly gentleman, and the first time we saw him was last Sunday. As we passed him going the opposite direction we exchanged “Good Mornings.” I liked him right away and smiled to myself; probably because he was sporting a ballcap with the letters “UK.”
It was about fifteen minutes later when we made our turn and headed back to the house. Walking up the path toward the water tower we saw Fred coming back down the hill in our direction. As he approached, he noticed Daisy and the two of them quickly became friends. Using the length of Daisy’s leash we tried our best to stay socially distanced. During these few brief moments we exchanged first names and learned that he is scheduled for surgery this Thursday.
It has been said that God opens doors when we pray. Well, as we started to walk away, God opened the door and I felt the tug on my heart, that nudge in the back. Turning back towards him, I asked, “Fred, can I pray for you?” Without hesitation he said “Yes.” We may never see him again but one thing I know for sure, we planted a seed that day; two strangers on a path cared enough to pray for him.
Max Lucado says that “You (we) are never more like Jesus than when you (we) pray for others.” I encourage you this week to join me in praying for Fred’s surgery, and to ask God to continue to show all of us those open doors to pray for others.”
Be blessed, be well, be safe,
Dave
