1/27/2010

Last night, some friends that we used to go to church with stopped to see Gracie. She acted very unimpressed the entire time they were here, just going about her normal activity. Tonight, just before she fell asleep, she said "Mommy I really miss Bennett." I thought she meant her friend from Sunday school, since that's her last name. She never says Mr or Mrs, so sometimes it's hard to figure out. Then she said " No Bennett that prayed. Bennett prayed for my mommy and my daddy and my Josiah and my Grace. And for Jesus."
It's no small thing to pray for someone. I have been thinking about this so much lately. Every day, someone tells me that they have been praying for us and for Gracie. Every day. People that we don't really know very well, people that we do know well but never thought took the time to pray, people that we have never met. Taking time out of their lives to pray for us. It is humbling, just to think about it. Then I really started to dig deep and think. If it's humbling to me to think of people that I don't know praying for me, how much more so should it be that Jesus Himself goes before God on my behalf? I read this a few years ago, and it kept coming to mind today.

I have prayed for thee
C.H. Spurgeon

How encouraging is the thought of the Redeemer's never- ceasing intercession for us. When we pray, He pleads for us; and then we are not praying, He is advocating our cause, and by His supplications shielding us from unseen dangers. Notice the word of comfort addressed to Peter--"Simon, Simon, Satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat; but"--what? "But go and pray for yourself." That would be good advice, but it is not so written. Neither does he say, "But I will keep you watchful, and so you shall be preserved." That were a great blessing. No, it is, "But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not." We little know what we owe to our Saviour's prayers. When we reach the hill-tops of heaven, and look back upon all the way whereby the Lord our God hath led us, how we shall praise Him who, before the eternal throne, undid the mischief which Satan was doing upon earth. How shall we thank Him because He never held His peace, but day and night pointed to the wounds upon His hands, and carried our names upon His breastplate! Even before Satan had begun to tempt, Jesus had forestalled him and entered a plea in heaven. Mercy outruns malice. Mark, He does not say, "Satan hath desired to have you." He checks Satan even in his very desire, and nips it in the bud. He does not say, "But I have desired to pray for you." No, but "I have prayed for you: I have done it already; I have gone to court and entered a counter plea even before an accusation is made." O Jesus, what a comfort it is that thou hast pleaded our cause against our unseen enemies; counter mined their mines, and unmasked their ambushes. Here is a matter for joy, gratitude, hope, and confidence. 

So...all that just to once again say how thankful we are for the prayers and love of God's people. We love you all!!