Power of Prayer

In our backyard we have a concrete square in the back corner just big enough for two lounge chairs. My husband and I have claimed the space as ours. (Sorry kids. Well, not really.) One of our favorite things to do is lie on the lounge chairs and relax in the sun. One day we were out there enjoying the sunshine. My eyes were closed enjoying the warmth of the sun and my husband went inside to grab a drink of water. All of a sudden, I heard what sounded like a helicopter incredibly close by and a shadow seemed to appear and block the sun. I opened my eyes and felt an instant surge of terror. The helicopter noise and shadow? A swarm of bees. Above me. In front of me. Around every part of me. I could not move. I had never seen anything like it and don’t know if I’ve ever felt fear like that. My husband opened the door from across the yard, saw what was happening, and yelled for me to come in but I couldn’t move. While our human instincts are fight or flight, I found myself unable to do either. Everywhere I looked were hundreds and hundreds of bees. I found out later the average swarm can number over 10,000. What I saw was a wall of black everywhere. I was surrounded and trapped. I made myself as small as possible and did the only thing I could think to do, I prayed. I pulled my legs into my chest, wrapped my arms around them, lowered my head with my eyes closed and prayed for Jesus to protect me. 

I don’t know how much time passed while I was curled into a ball and praying, but seemingly as quickly as they appeared, they were gone. I sat there stunned looking at a now clear sky, still feeling my heart pounding in my chest, and realizing in utter amazement, it was over, and I was fine. Not one bee had actually touched my skin. 10,000 bees, complete darkness, and I had not been stung once. No longer having any interest in sitting outside that day, I grabbed my book and sprinted into the house. My husband and I stared at each other wide-eyed and in disbelief over what had happened. About an hour after the incident, I received a text from my friend Sandy who was checking in on me. Her text: “I’ve been praying since our call (the day prior) into the night and many times today. I hope you are safe.”

Friends, that’s Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit is God’s Spirit. God knew a swarm of bees was headed my way. His Spirit tugged on the heart of a friend and told her to start praying. My beautiful friend prayed for me for hours. There wasn’t a rationale reason for her to pray so urgently and unceasingly. She prayed because Holy Spirit told her to pray. Holy Spirit spoke by giving her a feeling of concern and burden to cover me. Holy Spirit and her prayers kept 10,000 bees from stinging me. God is all powerful. He alone could’ve prevented the bees from harming me. And he did but he chose to use my friend and her prayers to make that happen. God chooses to use us as his human partners to usher in His will, His blessings, His protection, His love. I don’t want to know what would’ve happened had my friend not stepped in and trusted the pull she felt to pray for me. 

God will use you if you let him. It takes faith, action, and a willing heart. I believe if you’re reading this, God is looking to use you right now. If you are new to learning about Holy Spirit, I encourage you to start here: calvarylg.com/Jesus. For those who have accepted Jesus and have Holy Spirit in you, I encourage you to step into Holy Spirit’s promptings this week. A prayer you can pray:

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your son Jesus and Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit, I want to be guided by you and used by you. Will you show me if there’s someone you want me to pray for? Is there someone you’d like me to reach out to? Will you reveal to me what’s on your heart and how you’d like to use me today?

I encourage you to write down what you hear and step into Holy Spirit’s prompting. As you go through the week and someone comes to mind, I encourage you to pray, ask Holy Spirit if this is someone you’re being led to pray for, reach out to, encourage, and then take action. If you suddenly feel the pull to pray for someone, I encourage you to pray as you feel you’re being led. You may be the person Holy Spirit is using to bring God’s blessing, protection, hope, encouragement. If you have any questions or we can be praying for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out at blog@calvarylg.com.

Blessing you with feeling God’s love and presence, a deepening of your relationship with Him, and Holy Spirit working in and through you.